"Earth We Walk Upon"

It seldom happens that a record touches something very deep in you from the first second and thereafter keeps you entranced until the end. Such is the case with "Earth We Walk Upon", the second album by Germany's Salvation AMP. They should not need introduction because their debut album "Hidden Faces" was yet enough eye-catching, but just in case, they're a do it yourself trio formed five years ago from the ashes of The Home Of The Hitman by Christ-Ian (singer/guitarist/songwriter), in coalition with bassist Caveman and drummer Steve Leafs. Handling guitar as their muse, Salvation AMP summon alternative rock, dark-tinged classic rock and new wave elements through their music but nevertheless they're craftily diluted in a patented liftoff mix. Specifically in "Earth We Walk Upon", they've broadened their sonic palette in a subtle way and, additionally, their outstanding harmonic interplay has been brought to the next level. The nine tracks included in this record gel as housed in a single soaring melody that stirs soul through its intense longing and remembrance. They make up a sensory feast which is served on some of the greatest guitars that can be heard now at this side of the threshold; thrilling without any reliance on volume; drenched in iridescent chorus, fizzy delays and echoing reverbs but without losing any of their arpeggiating allure; creative and versatile, ranging everything from slide leads, to twangy riffs, to jangly tunes, to baritone chords, to tremolo pickings, to angular tones, to gentle strums and to aerial solitaires; pushed high in the mix, in constant interaction with either soothing and propulsive bass lines, and thick, varied, perfectly-timed drums, both stoking an eerie swing from behind, while Christ-Ian delivers his distinctive crooning on top of it all, half-way between clean and harsh vocal tones, always passionate, somber, climactic and immediately effective. Simply put: hair-rising rock with enjoyable touches of influential guitar-driven goth. "Earth We Walk Upon" is an emotional, filled, surrounding stringed beauty that will grow into a lifelong listening for you. There's not much more to say other than "hats off".

Review by Billyphobia