Review APRIL ART “Rodeo”

April Art is a band that rose from the ashes of Scarlet Fire. That was back in 2014 with Philipp Tesarek, Nice Neufeld and Marek Haesler in the lead. The band released a debut album called “Rise & Fall” in 2019, while the pandemic wasn’t very supportive when it came to promoting the debut album. Things might change these days as the band, with a renewed line-up, unleashes their third effort called “Rodeo”.

The band from Giessen, Germany, is releasing a longplayer that contains a tracklist of eleven songs, starting with the title track. “Rodeo” is a massive start to the album and sets the tone for the next 36 minutes. Nu-metal reminiscent riffs, samples and a massive groove are the key ingredients that set the direction for the album. Also worth mentioning are the strong vocals of Lisa-Marie Matz. She seamlessly switches between singing and screaming, giving the album an extra strength that echoes through each song.

“Burn” is the next blast, starting with a spoken word part that introduces an aggressive modern metal song with a great chorus. Anyone can sing the chorus from day one, which shows the potential of “Burn” to become a constant factor in live shows.

While listening to the album, I was reminded of bands like Guano Apes and partly also acts like Die Happy. April Art, however, are more aggressive when it comes to the music they have captured on “Rodeo”, a title that describes the album quite well.

Listening to the album is like riding a wild horse that keeps trying to throw the rider. It is an unpredictable ride that includes songs like the catchy but powerful “Not Sorry”.

“Jackhammer” carries the next surprise as samples introduce this dance hall rocker. The song is heavy and sounds modern with some rap parts adding another twist. It is a commercial masterpiece that could get the band some airplay. Yet “Jackhammer” doesn’t drown in commercial stickiness, which shows the quality of the band.

“Let Em Go” combines modern metal with atmospheric interludes before a roaring guitar kicks off the throbbing “Head Up High”. The song shows more of the band’s rock roots before “Not Afraid” marks the thunderous end of the album, which also includes an acoustic version of “Not Sorry,” followed by “Change Part II,” which is an extension of the 2022 version.

April Art surprises from beginning to end. “Rodeo” bursts with energy and is a real blast. There isn’t a weak song on this release that hits the sweet spot of combining raw and untamed nu metal with a passion for rock music. Catchiness and heaviness are two of the main facets of this album and what is sometimes seen as a contradiction is a mutual strength on this album. If the third record is still a decisive one, the future of April Art will look bright and successful.