Lust for life - A review of Rusted's "Rock Patrol"

''Rock Patrol'' is the first full length release by French-Canadian hard rock and heavy metal quintet Rusted. While the band doesn't reinvent the genre, the five musicians play with enough passion to make this record really enjoyable. Since this album includes thirteen tunes and clocks in just below a running time of one hour, there are a few fillers to be found but also some really strong cuts.

Things kick off amazingly with the wild opener and title track ''Rock Patrol'' that convinces with a vivid upper mid-tempo pace, a short and sweet guitar solo and a fist-pumping chorus that might be simple but highly efficient. You will still be able to sing along to this at two o'clock in the morning in your favorite rock pub. The band closes its record on an equally great note with previously released single ''Young, Wild and Free'' that really captures the rebellious, proud and loud spirit of hard rock and heavy metal. If this track had been released in the early eighties, one would call it an authentic classic today.

In between these two superb songs, there's some hit and miss on this output. Among the highlights, I would mention the short ''Too Much Is Never Enough'' that has both a hard rock and a slight punk rock vibe. It somewhat reminds me of the German new wave classic ''Skandal im Sperrbezirk'' by Spider Murphy Gang both musically and lyrically. ''Tsunami'' is the song that comes closest to a classic heavy metal track on this album with a smoothly galloping rhythm section and an energetic and energizing guitar solo recalling Iron Maiden in its prime. Still, even this heavier track includes a vivid vocal performance with many parts that invite to sing along in a hard rock orientated manner.

In the end, fans of hard rock and heavy metal of the eighties will definitely enjoy this entertaining, joyous and nostalgic release. If alcohol, hard rock and women are essential parts of your life, you can consider this record your sonic bible. On the other side, Rusted is even more efficient in concert than on a studio record and you should try to catch them on the road and hope for a live album.