Extreme – ‘Six’ – Loud and Proud Loud album Loud and Proud

Extreme’s recording return 15 years after ‘Soudés de Rock’ marks a turning point for the world rock scene. ‘Six’ is not “only” a new album from a formation that, taking inspiration from classic bands from previous generations – Van Halen, Queen and Aerosmith to name a few – have created their own unique and unmistakable style that draws on a variety of influences. is filled with From classic rock to the hardest, from funky to soul, from metal to prog. The new work from Extreme proves that the talents of Gary Cherone, Nuno Bettencourt and Pat Badger (behind the skins the still brilliant Kevin Figueredo) have remained unblemished all these years. Upon the release of the video for ‘Rise’, first released to launch this work, Bettencourt has once again managed to wow an army of guitarists with his stunning singles. It is one of the elements that mainstream hard rock has been somewhat lacking since the turn of the new century. Many musicians have normalised, adapted to commercial trends that require guitarists to do no more than “homework” and the ambition to steal the show is no longer widespread – outside the circuit of virtuosos. But Nuno is different, he may have played for Rihanna for years, but remained the young prodigy who grew up idolizing the innovators Van Halen, but also Beck, Page and other rock legends. Opener ‘Six’ is a song that also has a great rhythmic vibe to its side, in evidence from Pat Badger’s bass and Figueredo’s drums, but it’s also Gary Cherone’s great return to his masterful levels yet again. In the past twenty-five years we have become accustomed to seeing the decline of many historical groups, a physical aspect in a musical environment that requires a young physicality to play with maximum mobility. Over the years, a voice undergoes an inevitable wear and tear that wears away its enamel, making the mission of reaching the highest notes more difficult. Cheron has received an excessive dose of criticism in the past, justified only partially by some less dazzling live performances than in the past, but if there’s one undeniable truth that emerges from listening to this new work, it’s that Extreme Near No Feeling without its own unique rhythm, which expertly marries the guitar quality, compositional shape and sense of melody, as well as Nuno Bettencourt’s voice. Another element that makes ‘Six’ appealing is a production – curated by Bettencourt – that sounds bright and up-to-date, not as old and generic as very few might hear until now. Able to enhance all instruments but Nuno’s guitar tone with an eye – just listen to the rocky but defined sound of ‘Banshee’ – and for vocal harmony, which has always been one of the band’s strengths. The first half of ‘Six’ is dominated by the heaviest and hardest pieces, the aforementioned ‘Banshee’ brings a unique funky energy (metal), while ‘#Rebel’ pushes the tempo harder while maintaining an effective melodic line And a Chiron is still capable of modulating the sound in very creative ways. The first change of atmosphere comes with the vocal interlude of a choir-dominated composition, ‘The Other Side of the Rainbow’, which consists of clean arpeggios and chords that form the ideal carpet for Choron’s voice launching into valuable vocals ( which at the end of the piece they remember Thom Yorke). ‘Small Town Beautiful’ is a soulful ballad in which Gary still steals the show with Nuno’s strong guitar and vocal accompaniment. The disc gains energy with ‘The Mask’, interesting for the text that invites you to destroy the masks behind which you hide and to progress, with heavy guitars only at the height of the chorus break down; The vocal difference between the voice of Bettencourt – the protagonist in the verses – and that of Cheron who enters the road towards hypnotic rebuttal should also be underlined. ‘Thicker Than Blood’ still focuses on vocal contrasts, but musically it’s more gritty and funky without sounding nostalgic. The energy of ‘Save Me’ is slow and inclined from a rhythmic approach, but combined with the constant presence of underlying melodic themes. The intent is clear to create a sort of ripple effect with the sequence going on so far, riding in during the more dynamic pieces and then returning to less rippled sounds in correspondence with the more introspective pieces. Low tide brings with it the sweetness of ‘Storm’, a delicious acoustic ballad in which the duo’s voices create a truly evocative atmosphere, it’s also one of the most inspired moments of ‘Six’, a short song we can point to as examples of timeless songwriting that could have come out of the songbook of Simon & Garfunkel or Crosby and Nash, but with the sensibilities and vocals of two artists who stimulate each other when they’re together, their respective talents. manage to get the best out of , Gary has a unique voice that shapes itself like an instrument while Nuno sings and whispers along with the guitar, not that his throat is kidding… ‘X Out’ is another track that told Must visit: Between 80’s synthesizers, a pinch of funky and soul, guitars with modern sounds and Choron’s voice that brings out the most lyrical and evocative notes of the whole work. The arrangements also deserve a special mention, for a darker and more shadowy piece than usual that doesn’t distort between the darker tracks of ‘III Sides to Every Story’. For rock fans, and especially those in the know of heavy music, the most controversial and surprising song on the album is the potential summer hit ‘Beautiful Girls’, which may remind Dave Lee Roth for atmosphere and lyrics but which musically turns out to be Well crafted and packaged Latin pop to please the masses. With a main melody as simple as it is catchy, Nuno having the talent he has and Gary improvising on the almost rapped break, the intent to create a carefree catchphrase with the song “Beach” is clear. The tune, whose most interesting moment is sung a bit further, suggests that the band secretly dreams of repeating the overpriced success of ‘More Than Words’ and to do so they tried to bang out a song man. Even commercial radio can play and that appeals to anyone looking for seaside music to associate with the sight of pretty girls in advertising and cinematographic fields. The work ends with a very dark ballad, the heartfelt ‘Here’s to the Losers’, which gives us a very talented band acclaimed during this highly anticipated record comeback. ‘Six’ is a valuable record that shows how Extreme can still be the exceptional standard-bearer for rock music, both for the harder and the more catchy and convincing. The band’s eclecticism, the musical talents of four top-notch musicians, the sense of melody, the inspired vocals and the determination to return to writing pieces that could become hits. Who said The Rock is dead? With ‘Six’ rock is exhilarating and accessible once again thanks to Extreme, a band capable of both scratching and caressing with their versatile musical artistry, proving that this timeless genre still has appeal to the masses. All the cards are there to ignite.

Extreme: When technique is placed in the service of melody without overpowering emotion.

Recommended for: Anyone who wants to go back to listening to high quality rock with commercial ambitions

Track List:
01. He Laughed
02. #rebel
03. Banshee
04. The Other Side of the Rainbow
05. Small Town Pretty
06. Mask
07. Thicker Than Blood
08. Save Me
09. Storm
10. X Out
11. Pretty Girls
12. Here to the Losers

Create row:
Gary Cherone – vocals
Nuno Bettencourt – guitar, arrangement, keyboards, piano, vocals
Pat Badger – bass, backing vocals
Kevin Figueredo – drums

For more information visit the band’s Facebook page here