THY ROW
"Unchained"
(Rockshots Records; 2021)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
I was really excited when I started listening to Thy Row's "Unchained" album. Track one, "Road Goes On," starts with a quick fade that builds into a throbbing riff and soaring vocals and melodies that draw you right into the music. Subsequent tracks do the same thing, with the pulsating rocker "The Round" and the title track with its initial rock'n'roll scream. But as the album continues, however, it seems to ... I don't know ... diminish. It isn't that the riffs don't keep ripping and the tempos keep rolling it's just that it all starts to blend together. There's nothing that really grabs you by the throat.
I need to be clear here that there are some powerful moments on "Unchained," especially on those first few tracks. But, for me, at least, nothing really stood out as the album continued. Again, there's nothing bad on "Unchained." It's certainly listenable and I will, in fact, listen to it again. According to the record label, the band's music is a "a fresh mix of old-school heavy metal with modern hard rock." And maybe that's my issue here. Maybe that blend just doesn't work for me.
For more information, check out https://www.facebook.com/ThyRowBand/.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2021 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
