On disc: Victory

 
 Instinct
 
- Amir Djawadi -
 
 


 
 Don't Talk Science
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Don't Talk Science
 
- Umberto Mino -
 
 


 
 Victory (re-release)
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 

Victory

(YesterRock - 2011)



 
 

 

In 1985 Victory stepped into the limelight with their self-titled debut which was produced by Michael Wagner. Some band members were known, like Charlie Huhn who was the singer of Ted Nugent's band, the rest of the gang are all former Fargo members, so Victory arose from the ashes of Fargo.



Now the album is re-released via YesterRock, and I'm happy that it's available again, coz I lost my vinyls in a fire. With the first notes Victory take me back in time with The Hunter. Back then Victory played hard rock / heavy metal, no bombastic ballads or metal hymns. Charlie Huhn's voice and the riffing shows reminiscences to AC/DC, but Victory never been copycats. Songs like Chicks On Display are catchy, even if this one is a bit cheesy, but fits well to the cover. I'm Down is a cover of the Beatles classic - in a rock outfit. Victory to keep the charm of the original and present it in their own way. Can't Stop Missing You is a rock ballad without all the bombast ballads showed a few years later. Even if I can imagine this with a bombastic sound and big choirs, but it would also work in an acoustic version - and that shows the high quality of the song.



It's fun to hear songs like Wreck Man and Don't Count On Me in a decent sound quality. The album is digitally remastered and so the timeless track can shine even brighter than back in the days they were recorded. A timeless album, a gem of German hard rock! So, if you love this kind of music and don't have a copy of Victory in your collection, it's time to change it!

 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Don't Talk Science

(Golden Core - 2011)



 
 

 

Victory - a name that reminds me of my youth, an age where their old albums Culture Killed The Native and (especially) Temples Of Gold were always on my old turntable. But these old times were gone with my youth, and it's impossible to recreate that special feelings, so many times I listen to their albums like Voiceprint searching their old magic always with bad luck. But this time my approach on this album is very simple: judge this new Don't Talk Science without any prejudice or looking for something that will never come back again like my youth.... So let's start this listening session with this new episode of the Herman-Newton factory!!!



Don't Talk Science begins with Restless, a track where it's possible recognize the classic Victory style, a song simply irresistible in every second, a perfect opener for any Victory album!! Speak Up is another perfect example of what was Victory in the past... So can I think that they're really back at their old glory?? It seems that the songwriting is more inspired, it seems that the end of '80s / early 90's age is back in my speakers, so Rock Star and Love Kills Love blew my mind away. I know that Fernando Garcia isn't the current singer, but these songs give me the same feelings of their old tunes. Burn Down The City and Down Load Down are playing again with my head, damn this is year 2011!!!!



Right Between The Eyes is a sleazy song, personally not their best episode in this album but it's not a filler, next Blinded By Darkness can win the prize for best song on this CD, probably one the best song that Victory has ever done!!!! No Return is another good chapter, and follower Victim Of Lies show us once again the return of great songwriting's inspiration!!! Go To Hell is the fastest song on Don't Talk Science and Waiting For The Wind close this album in a good way with I'm So Excited.



Personally I'm very happy for two reasons: First, I listened and reviewed a nice CD and second, reason I found a band that I think were disappear in a sea of mediocrity. Victory.... Don't Talk Science..... An album that everybody must listen, where melodies, power and guts are necessary to made a good album!! Welcome back guys!!

 
 










Umberto Mino


  
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Don't Talk Science

(Golden Core - 2011)



 
 

 

Rock fans won't have a problem to name one or the other band from Hanover, most will first name Scorpions or Eloy, depending on their favorite sound. But there are more bands from Hanover who made themselves known outside Germany, one of them is Victory. Victory arose from the ashes of Fargo. Guitarist Tommy Newton and bassist 'Fargo Pedder' Knorn hooked up with singer Charlie Huhn (ex-Ted Nugent) and with a little help from manager David Krebs they signed with Epic and their self-titled debut album was produced by Michael Wagner. The rest is history!



Now Victory have announced to call it quits, but first they release their final album - Don't Talk Science. To the core of Victory you can count in Herman Frank who found time to record this album with his mates, even as he's extremely busy with Accept these days - beside the other projects / bands he's involved with. Musically Victory manage to combine their signature style with a fresh sound, even if the opener Restless has a dash of Accept in it. After two true Victory rockers they present Love Kills Love, a song with a bluesy / 70's rock touch - also reminds me of their early days when Charlie Huhn was their singer. This one is among my faves of Don't Talk Science. And they stay on the chosen path with Burn Down The City.



Right Between The Eyes shows reminiscences to the Garcia-era... But Jioti Parcharidis isn't just copying his predecessors. Quite catchy is Blinded By Darkness, another track which shows similarities to their late 80's / early 90's releases. The fast Go To Hell is followed by the Spooky Tooth tune Waiting For The Wind. The closer is another cover track, they rocked I'm So Excited by the Pointer Sisters! But that isn't such a big surprise, coz Herman and Martina Frank cover this one on Poison Sun's album Virtual Sin. Actually it sounds very much like the same tune - just Jioti Parcharidis is singing it instead of Martina Frank.



With an album like Don't Talk Science to call it quits is a bittersweet experience, coz the album make you want more. On the other hand they are leaving with style and people will have a good last impression. Anyway, I hope they will do a proper farewell tour like their famous mates Scorpions....

 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Instinct

(Steamhammer - 2003)



 
 

 

Another reunion.... Well, the opinions about reunions differ. Actually we are talking about the German metal band Victory!



In 1985 the band entered with the self-titled debut the metal stages of the world. With the American singer Charlie Huhn they been quite successful - the albums and the shows. The band played the clubs around the world and at all the important festivals. As usual the line-up changed and through the years the fans were asking for the original line-up. 15 years later and more then 7 years since their last release the time is right. In 2003 they are back with Instinct and with the original line-up! That they are serious about this reunion was obvious when they played the famous Wacken open-air. Beside that an extended tour is announced, even if there aren't details yet.



But let's talk about the album! The band recorded 11 tracks for Instinct. The drums are played by drum legend Fritz Randow, on bass is Fargo-Peter Knorn, the guitarists Tommy Newton and Hermann Frank and on the microphone is Charlie Huhn.



This is a solid, decent metal album and it seems that you can hear the honesty in their music. The intensive, rough voice of shouter Charlie Huhn in combination with the music will convince the fans. But with all my respect for their work and their musicianship, for the reunion I can't find something outstanding in this release. That doesn't mean that this is a bad album! Solid metal and a little better then the average - for Victory fans a must-buy, but fans of rock / metal should give it a try first!

 
 










Amir Djawadi
(translation: Claudia Ehrhardt)


  
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