Summer is here and we all need some fun, high-energy music to blast in between festivals and keep the party going, no? Well, as fate would have it German hard rock band KISSIN’ DYNAMITE has got us covered with their latest studio offering and album number eight in their discography, “Back with a Bang.” The album came out on July 5th, 2024, via Napalm Records and it’s exactly what the doctor ordered.
As per their usual style, “Back with a Bang” sees the band around vocalist Hannes Braun deliver an avalanche of infection rhythms and catchy melodies that are perfect for getting the energy up during these hot, lazy days. These twelve tracks are seriously hooky, groovy, and anthemic and not just when it comes to the chorus or the rhythmic section as KISSIN’ DYNAMITE write purposefully high-octane music, a formula they refined over eight studio albums. The title track, “Back with a Bang,” and second single “My Monster” already showcase the band’s incredible penchant for earworm melodies, soaring choruses, and interesting narratives when it comes to the lyrics, something to which most bands in this genre fail to give the necessary amount of attention.
As such, this album offers more surprises than your standard stadium rock album, as a song like bouncy “Raise Your Glass” is both a nostalgia trip with its strong ‘80s sound as well as a celebration of the band’s history up until this point complete with a great sing-along-ish melody driving the chorus and an overall uplifting vibe. On the other hand, tracks like heavier “Queen of the Night,” intense “The Devil is a Woman,” and theatrical “Iconic” are bona fide party anthems that ride high on easy but effective melodies, wailing guitars from Ande Braun and Jim Müller, and groovy as hell rhythms while the lyrics are a bit cheesy and playful. However, KISSIN’ DYNAMITE have more substance than that and can also write uplifting pieces about better days and living life on your own terms, with the likes of optimistic “The Best is Yet to Come,” melancholy “I Do It My Way,” and upbeat “Learn to Fly” being life-affirming melodic anthems, perfect for when you need a little pick-me-up.
We’re more than halfway through the tracklist and I think it’s safe to say that one of the album’s strengths is its diversity. KISSIN’ DYNAMITE have been at it since 2006 and have learned to play around with their sound and deliver a great variety of moods while still being firmly rooted in ‘80s-inspired hard rock, and this album is a great example of just how expansive their core sound is, and how many textures and nuances it can easily accommodate. Consequently, the raw energy of both “More and More” and “When the Lights Go Out” keep the party going with great basslines pumping underneath the melodic guitars, thunderous drums, and high-octane choruses, while the talk box sample on “More and More” is reminiscent of BON JOVI’s “It’s My Life.” To prove that they can also quiet down for more laid-back moments, the band ends the album with country ballad “Not A Wise Man” which boasts cool acoustic guitar melodies and soulful vocals that make for a perfect sing-along around a roaring campfire. This one is such a poignant counterpoint to the explosive tracks gathered on this record and it’s interesting to hear them quiet down for such an unvarnished moment.
The album’s energetic and dynamic soundscape is well-grounded by Hannes Braun’s intense vocal deliveries and the fantastic guitar riffs and solos while the thumping basslines and pounding drums make each song have a larger-than-life feel. This is high-energy feel-good music that is specifically geared for the big festival scenes and stadiums but can also serve as the ideal summer soundtrack for wild nights, fun parties, or even road trips and other such adventures. There aren’t many bands out there that can keep the spirit of the ‘80s so alive like these guys, so if you’re nostalgic about those times, check this album out.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
- Back with a Bang
- My Monster
- Raise Your Glass
- Queen of the Night
- The Devil is a Woman
- The Best is Yet to Come
- I Do It My Way
- More is More
- Iconic
- Learn to Fly
- When the Lights Go Out
- Not a Wise Man
Line-up
Hannes Braun – vocals
Ande Braun – guitar
Jim Müller – guitar
Steffen Haile – bass
Sebastian Berg – drums
Label
Napalm Records
Links
