BAND: HANSEL
ALBUM: NEVER SAY DIE
LABEL: PUSSYCAT RECORDS
RELEASE DATE: 09-JAN-09                                   RATING  74/100 
GENRE: SLEAZE ROCK, HARD ROCK
WEBSITE: http://www.hanselsohotrightnow.com/
MYSPACE PAGE: http://www.myspace.com/hanselmusic
REVIEWER: MARC "LAZY ROCKER" SCHNEIDERS

One of the first albums, maybe even the first album, that has been released this year is sleazy hard rock band Hansel's debut album "Never Say Die". In 2009 the Aussies released a stunning 4-track EP filled with 80's stadium influenced hardrock/hair metal songs with touches of glam. The EP was called "Mission To Rock". Listening to "Never Say Die" it turned out the band didn't lie. They really are on a mission to rock! From the start on they fire real rock & roll songs like "Eruption", "Rocket Ship of Love" and "Wild Tonight" at us, innocent listeners. My favourite tracks in this list are "On The Run" and "Vampire". This band is obvious here to party. Titles like "I Don’t Need Saving (All I Need Is Rock ‘N’ Roll)", "Rock City" and "1-800-Pleasuretown" say enough.
After 6 tracks Hansel's gun is out of bullets and needs to be reloaded with "Between A Rock and a Hard Place", a mellow track that starts with a piano and an acoustic guitar. It also has an excellent guitar solo like Slash did in his best Guns & Roses days. This track could have been stolen from the "Use Your Illusion" albums, although it has its own sound. Absolutely my favourite track on the album!
The gun has been reloaded just in time for "Vampire" and off course "Murder 101", this track already appeared on the EP and has a more melodic rock sound. A great song with well done keyboard parts.
Hansel's gun is smoking while the album ends with "The Whole Nine Yards". With a little imagination you can compare this song to Guns & Roses' "Used To Love Her".

Now that the shooting is over I can resume that this album has some outstanding rock & roll tracks with great riffs and hooklines. If you are into straight sleazy stadium hard rock you can buy this album without listening. I hope the band will cross the ocean for a European tour and let us know how Aussies party...

TRACKLISTING: 
01. I Don’t Need Saving (All I Need Is Rock ‘N’ Roll)
02. Eruption
03. Rock City
04. On The Run *
05. Wild Tonight
06. Rocketship of Love
07. Between A Rock and a Hard Place *
08. Vampire *
09. Murder 101 *
10. 1-800-Pleasuretown
11. The Whole Nine Yards

* Lazy Rocker's favourite tracks
 

LINE UP: 
Jett Jones – Vocals
Grind – Guitars
Busta Lacey – Guitars & Keyboards
Joey X Kalibre – Bass
Thruster Jones – Drums