“New Wave Gone Metal” does exactly what it says in the title. Just in case you were wondering, it’s a collection of 80s New Wave pop songs performed by James Rivera.
Now, the review could end right there, but as the man himself says: “Make no mistake, to this day I still love each of these songs in their original forms, but I have to admit that now that we’ve done them in our own metal way, it’s hard for me to listen to them as they were. I know that once these New Wave classics sink their teeth into you, Metal Wave style, you’ll never listen to them the same way again!”
And I am a child of the 80s; I grew up with these songs. I’ve always believed that if you’re going to do a cover, then do it in a way that doesn’t sound like the original.
That’s precisely why this album works. “Black Celebration” sounds more like Sisters Of Mercy gone metal than Depeche Mode, and “Lovesong” carries the air of HIM playing with The Doors.
Some of these tracks are brilliant. Notably, “Shock The Monkey” is now a vicious metal powerhouse, and “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” is as heavy as they come. Your average Tears For Fears fan would be scared.
Best of all, though, is the wonderful take on “Bela Lugosi’s Dead,” which manages to preserve the dystopian essence of the original while sounding refreshingly different yet equally captivating. The idea that The Ramones’ “Pet Sematary” could work in this context is nothing short of sensational.
For those who criticize cover albums, consider this: There’s more life in “Rain” here than at any time The Cult has played it over the last 10 years.
As a veteran of many projects from Helstar onwards, James Rivera’s “Metal Wave” stands out as one of his best.
Rating: 8.5/10
