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Album Review

Smash Into Pieces – “The Apocalypse DJ” [Album Review]

With a collective list of influences that include the likes of Alter Bridge, Nickelback and Shinedown, Swedish rockers Smash Into Pieces mould those influences into an impressive demonstration of modern rock.

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There is a section on Smash Into Pieces’ official website where each of the band list their favourite albums. A swift scan and you’ll find their individual lists populated with names like Alter Bridge, Shinedown, Nickelback, Metallica, Pantera, and so on. There is blatantly a common theme running through the lists so it comes as no surprise to find that The Apocalypse DJ, the Swedes’ new album, makes a really good job of taking these collective influences and moulding them into a rather impressive modern rock recording.

Admittedly The Apocalypse DJ doesn’t veer too far outside the boundaries of the rock rulebook, but their European twist on something the Americans do really well makes the end result sound a little edgier and rougher. “Don’t Wake Me Up” for example, has a hint of Three Days Grace, while elsewhere the use of electronics on opener “Stronger” and the use of female vocals on “My Cocaine” will please fans of recent work by Lacuna Coil and Evanescence.

Sure, while they may not score highly in the originality stakes, Smash Into Pieces write songs that rock hard. They write massive-sounding tracks like the thumping “Burn,” they write emotional songs like “Another Day On The Battlefield,” and they write out n’ out rockers like “Stronger”. The ballads are big, epic-sounding numbers and the production is precise and crystal clear. Together it all adds up to an album that, if you’re a fan of grittier modern rock, will simply rock your world.

Once you’ve seen the list of bands who’ve influenced Smash Into Pieces you’ll have probably made your mind up as to whether The Apocalypse DJ is for you. Trust me though, if you’re willing to give it a chance then you’ll find a modern album that gives an impressive account of itself.

Track Listing:

01. Stronger
02. My Cocaine
03. Disaster Highway
04. Checkmate
05. Don’t Wake Me Up
06. Another Day On The Battlefield
07. Reaching Out
08. Color Of Your Eyes
09. Bullets
10. Burn
11. Rock ‘n’ Roll (The Apocalypse Mix)

Run Time: 40:28
Release Date: March 2, 2015

Check out the song “Disaster Highway” here.

I have an unhealthy obsession with bad horror movies, the song Wanted Dead Or Alive and crap British game shows. I do this not because of the sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll lifestyle it affords me but more because it gives me an excuse to listen to bands that sound like hippos mating.

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