Review EXTREME ‘Six’

It might be for sure a nice thing if the debut album of a band can score big success and if the sophomore album continues the winning streak, things feel even better. At the same time, expectations are rising too and the pressure to deliver gets stronger. Extreme is one of the bands that went through this stretch.

With especially album number two and three being extremely successful, the Boston-based band was talk of the town. With the ballad ‘More Than Words’, the guys also had number one hit and ‘Hole Hearted’ went into the top 10 the same year. Especially the singles framed the sound of the band and many people still connect Extreme with these two songs. What was pushed more into the background was the musical expertise of singer Gary Cherone and guitarist Nuno Bettencourt. The guys had much more in their tool kit but unfortunately the band disbanded in 1996.

Extreme returned with some live shows in the early 2000^th and also released with ‘Saudades de Rock’ a new album which didn’t bring the band back to the spotlight. Things change these days.

15 years after their latest studio album, Extreme launch ‘Six’. Again driven by Cherone and Bettencourt, the album is a powerful return. Together with long time member Pat Badger and with drummer Kevin Figueiredo, the duo created an album that belongs to the highlights in 2023.

With ‘Rise’, ‘#Rebel’ and ‘Banshee’, three songs have been unveiled already as singles and set the frame for what to expect of the new longplayer. Already with the release of ‘Rise’ it became obvious that Extreme are back with full force. The track addresses the effects of a rise and fall in general which might be in a way a self-reflection too. Equipped with an awesome and Eddie Van Haken reminding guitar solo, the track is very powerful and straight to the point.

Photo: Jesse Lirola (earMUSIC Promotion)

Things don’t slow down with the following ‘#Rebel’. With a captivating groove the song has no intention to take prisoners. Instead, Extreme offer a rough and energizing tune that finds its continuation in ‘Banshee’.

After those three mighty rockers, the guys from Boston offer a soulful moment with ‘Other Side of the Rainbow’ without falling into the ‘More Than Words’-trap. The song is just a beautiful piece of music and the same goes for the following ‘Small Town Beautiful’. Extreme still have the ability create touching songs and manage to stay away from cliches. It is apparent that the band matured during the last decades which makes ‘Six’ much more authentic.

The versatile ‘The Mask’ is a next highlight. Lyrically the song addresses the similarities between all of use and that is important to take off the mask and show who you really are. ‘Thicker Than Blood’ is an ode to equality and also shows that lyrics matter for Extreme. Lyrics are “more than words” these days.

Following the melancholic ‘Hurricane’ is the dynamic grooving ‘X Out’. Very rhythm-driven the song finds a way into your mind immediately.

Much more light-hearted is ‘Beautiful Girls’ and it’s about finding the one and only. ‘Here’s to the Losers’ is the final chapter on this greate album. Emotionally-laden, the song is a calmer rock song with a great chorus. Partly reminding me of Queen, the song is next highlight on an exquisite record.

‘Six’ is the most mature Extreme album to date. It feels like the band finally arrived. After the heydays in the 90s and difficult times later on, the quartet delivers a stellar album that doesn’t know a weak spot. Each of the twelve songs is a rocking highlight, also fueled by an emotional depth. Extreme in 2023, that means unleashing their full potential and it will lead to commercial success as a side effect since the guys made this album for their own and not for what others think it should sound like. ‘Six’, an excellent treat for your ears.