Review CORELEONI “Generection”

While Gotthard has never shied away from melodies that occasionally lean toward the pop side of rock or from a good heartbreak ballad, CoreLeoni is something like the uncompromising brother in a denim jacket, with a little dirt still under his fingernails. There’s no question that both sides have their place, and it’s Gotthard guitarist Leo Leoni who takes the lead in CoreLeoni. With the project, Leoni takes a step back in time, revisiting the era when Gotthard first appeared on the scene with their excellent debut album.

In the meantime, however, CoreLeoni has grown into a project of its own, and now the band is sending a new album, Generection, into the record stores. It quickly becomes clear that the new record delivers another solid run of hard rock songs. The groove-driven “Last Goodbye” sounds like a band ready to turn things up and let the amps do some talking. Strong melodies and a healthy punch are what define CoreLeoni, while singer Gent Bushpepa once again proves to be a real asset to the band.

“Generation Rock” keeps things moving with plenty of energy before “Howling at the Moon” reveals a darker side of CoreLeoni – or perhaps we should say their nighttime side. A pounding riff drives the song forward while also highlighting the versatility of both the band and its leader.

Generection also has its ballad moment with “Believe,” and this is probably where the Gotthard parallels become most apparent. “Rock’n’Roll Rebel” is a roaring rocker that delivers exactly what its title promises. At the same time, it remains one of the more average tracks on the album, something that certainly cannot be said about the thunderous groove of “I’m Afraid I’m in Love.” Whitesnake vibes are all over this one before an acoustic guitar introduces “Yearning.” The digital edition also comes with a well-executed cover of “Lady Marmalade,” the 1974 classic written by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan. A little unexpected, perhaps – but hey, rock ’n’ roll has always enjoyed keeping a few cards up its sleeve.

Overall, Generection sees CoreLeoni continuing to celebrate everything that makes hard rock such a timeless force. The songs have groove, attitude, and enough punch to keep the amps humming, while the melodies make sure the album never loses its sense of accessibility. Leo Leoni and his bandmates have found a sound that feels rooted in the past without getting stuck there – and that’s a pretty good place for a hard rock band to be.