HITTEN, the ultimate Hard Rock and Heavy Metal powerhouse, is set to release their highly anticipated new full-length, “While Passion Lasts”.
This explosive album captures the essence of the 80s Hard n’ Heavy while infusing it with a fresh and invigorating energy that redefines the genre.With thundering drums, blazing riffs, and electrifying solos, “While Passion Lasts” is your high-octane ticket to Hard Rock paradise. Led by the vocal lines and melodies of the charismatic Alexx Panza, widely recognised as one of the premier vocalists in the scene today, and fueled by the exceptional songwriting prowess of the founding member Dani Meseguer, Hitten sets a new standard. The awe-inspiring dual shred guitars of the dynamic duo, known as the Terror Twins (Dani Meseguer and Johnny Lorca) add an extra layer of ferocity, while newcomer Willy Medina’s colossal drumming takes the sound to new heights.
Vocalist and frontman Alexx Panza explains: “’While Passion Lasts’ is the rightful successor to ‘Triumph And Tragedy’. The formula is still the same, a mix of old school heavy metal and hard rock. This time hinting even more at that late 80s/early 90s Hard Rock sound, but still largely infused with that old school metal approach which is the foundation of HITTEN’s own sound. The production has surely improved. As much as we loved the sound of ‘Triumph And Tragedy’, with ‘While Passion Lasts’ our search for the perfect sound has been maniacal. We retrieved some equipment from back in the days to try nailing that late 80s/early 90s sound we had on our mind and wanted to recreate.”
Get ready to time-travel to the Hard n’ Heavy greatness with “While Passion Lasts”. HITTEN’s evolution is authentic and exhilarating. Available on all major platforms from November 24th. Stay tuned for updates and exclusive content on HITTEN’s official social media.
SURE SHOT WORX
Mixed at Moontower Studios by Javi Felez and mastered by Erik Martensson (Eclipse) at Mass Destruction, this album is a sonic masterpiece.
Album Cover Artwork: Sadist Art Designs
Photography: Gabriel Ivorra
Graphic Designer: Dani Meseguer
Release and worldwide distribution: High Roller Records
LINE-UP
Alexx Panza – Vocals
Dani Meseguer – Guitars
Willy Medina – Drums
Satan – Bass
Johnny Lorca – Guitars
REVIEW
01. At 1 minute 24 seconds, Prelude To Passion opens the album giving us a soundscape which I can only describe as a futuristic soundscape! It has droning sounds, creeks and sounds that move across from speaker to speaker. The pounding heartbeat comes in before we are hit with some thumping on a floor tom and a repeating guitar riff backed by some some synth notes to take us out.
02. While Passion Lasts is dripping with 80s vibes, with its big sounding production, sexy guitar licks and tasty vocal lines & chants. And this is a perfect reason of why I love Hitten as there music can be so uplifting and vibrant! Add some powerful synth chords strategically placed at key moments and conclude with a brief, yet intense double kick blasts from Willy Medina at the finale to create an electrifying track that serves as the perfect album opener! Turn It up loud!
03. Blood From A Stone continues in similar fashion to the album opener with plenty of thick rhythms and delicious riffs to sink your teeth into. Combine this with moments of crushing attitude and swagger and you have another great track to stack on the hell yeah list!
04. Mr. Know It All was one of the first singles to be released from the album and this mid-tempo stomper is like a punch in the face! The lyrics of “hey mr know it all” will have you throwing your fist in the sky singing your heart out! The solo comes in down right dirty and spicy which is certainly a highlight of the album! Dare I say it at moments In my opinion I think back to the sounds of the band XYZ as this track definitely has that vibe going on! One of the catchiest songs on the album!
05. Unholy Games tumbles in and slows things down, giving us some heartfelt vocals and of course even more tantalising guitar melodies. This is a big ol’ block of passion and emotion that you want to slice up and consume. It is a great track to place half way through the album changing the pace of things. Again it just feels like its been lifted right out of the 80’s! The moments where the instruments strip right back and put focus on the vocals give it that extra warmth and vibrance!
06. Prepare for a quick intro of rain and the magical keys with Dark Stalker before you are thrown into a hard and heavy sizzling beast of a track. Lower and higher vocal registers are present throughout and this gives the track that extra layer of emotion and feeling. It is not unknown that Hitten are well versed in writing interestingly structured songs that bring all the power and fire you could want. Dark Stalker in a way has a slight dark mood at moments which only adds to the songs character.
07. Truthful Lies kicks of with a beautifully harmonised intro before we sail into the body of the song. Big bold and hammering chords are to be found here with Alexx Panza delivering some velvety vocals. Like previous songs on this album the solo falls nothing short of awesome! I feel like every song so far on this album could be performed live and would have the audience fully engaged through singing, head banging or expressing themselves in what ever way they seem fit.
08. Hold Up The Night is up next and get ready for the thunder! Pounding drums gallop, stomp and roll while the guitars from Johnny and Dani chug and spit fire! I particularly love the big stacked choruses on this track and yet another big biting solo! It seems up until now that Hitten’s latest slab of 80s tinged metal is shining with brilliance.
09. The tempo drops once again on this next song! Where It All Begins starts of as if your in a dreamscape. It feels airy, like your floating through the sky and in deep thought. It combines sparkling harmonised guitar licks and soft breezy pads carefully placed at moments to give sections emphasis. I can quite imagine this song being played at a big festival with the sunset behind the stage, drinks in hand everyone singing along! Yet another killer song!
10. Crimetime closes this glorious album and what a track to finish with! It starts of with a big snare pattern followed by monstrous chugger chugger on guitars that feels like a train flying down a track at fall speed! One of the faster tracks on the album, Hitten really gives it all! The epic harmonised solo guitar section in the middle of the song literally lets of fire and smoke. If I were to head bang to this I think my neck would snap! Probably my favourite track on the album! Totally killer!
Conclusion
What can I say, Hitten have done it again! Drenched from head to toe in 80s gloss and polished beautifully, this 10 track album truly delivers. If you want tracks that go hard and leave your mind sizzling then this could be for you! Personally I loved it because it reminded of so many bands from yesteryear with the albums excellent production, tone and exuberance. So go and listen to this now and turn it up to 11!
TheNWOTHM Score: 9/10