Loud Shirts
With a name like Vengeance I was expecting some sort of attitude driven power metal. Sadly, a bunch of predictable, dated and uninspired hard rock tunes dribbled out of the speakers instead. What was surprising was Vengeance have been releasing albums since 1984 with 'Soul Collector' being their eleventh official release. It explains why this disc has a dated feel about it and why it also has a confidence running all the way through it (hell, you have to be confident if you're trying to get away with some of the lyrics on the album). I've been listening to heavy music for twenty-five years and I can't recall their name so I have to come at this band cold and, hopefully, with a sense of objectivity.
From a visual point of view Vengeance look a little odd. There could quite possibly be a thirty-year difference between the oldest and the youngest member of the band. There's nothing wrong with this but add a top hat to the vocalist and a yellow shirt with flowery trim, that's almost as loud as the band itself, to one of the guitar players and you end up with a bit of a motley crew. I suppose to fans of the band this is perfectly normal but it also suggests that this Dutch gang aren't about to take themselves too seriously.
When the band say they're classic heavy rock that's exactly what they are. There are some early Rainbow influences and some half assed Whitesnake, but on the whole 'Soul Collector' wouldn't be out of place during the big hair period during the late eighties. 'Wait Until The Sun Gun' could be a left over Ratt or Bullet Boys tune, the title track is as basic as Cinderella and the two obligatory ballads, 'What The Hell' and 'Lean On Me' are as wet and pointless as any songs of that ilk from that period. 'Myspace Freak' is a feeble attempt at trying to inject some fun and humour into the proceedings and 'Dance' is just a dirge from start to finish, an odd choice of title for such a song indeed.
On the plus side the production is quite tidy and allows the album's highpoints to make an impact, and there ARE highpoints, trust me. 'Cross In The Rain' and 'So Many Times' are half decent tunes and 'Samurai' is a genuine stab at trying to create something a little different. The guitar work is competent without being too fancy and the vocals of Leon Goewie are extremely convincing. He has a powerful voice and uses it well but it is of a certain time namely pre-grunge warble. But not even a man of his talent and experience can get away with these type of lyrics; "Hey babe, wotcha do? Can't make it through to you. Do you wanna settle down or fly away right outta town." Even by Lauren Harris' standard these are pretty woeful. With twenty-five years experience you'd think the band could come up with something better than this.
'Soul Collector' isn't a bad album, its just sounds tired. Fans of the band will no doubt be pleased but from an outsider's point of view it's very sub-standard hard rock. Acts such as Airbourne and Stone Gods are pumping out this type of three-chord nonsense with a lot more conviction and adrenaline than Vengeance. That said, it has its moments but you may find yourself wanting to spin an Aerosmith album before you reach the end.