REVIEW : Hardware ‘86 --- Hardware ‘86 (Independent, 2019)

Hardware '86 is a band that brings back the sound of the mid 80's, early 90's, with style, quality and class. A sound that recalls to groups such as TNT, TOTO, Def Leppard, Journey and some 'newer' bands like Wild Rose, Work Of Art and White Widdow to name a few. 

The band consists of Rune Aalberg Alstad (guitar / vocals) and Sigurd Ekle (bass / vocals) and David Saylor, Snorre Valen, Olav Slagsvold, Bjørn Bakken, Josie Bernard.  

The debut contains only six tracks but, believe me, by the end you'll be begging for more. Hardware 86's music is pure melodic rock paradise based on big harmonies, sweet melodies, amazing and ultra-catchy choruses to sing-a-long for weeks and this brilliant 80's vibe to haunt each and every single moment of this stunning release. 

The opening tune of "Arena" is what I call perfect melodic rock song. The hook, the chorus, the melody, the arrangements, the performances, the guitar solo (reminded me a bit of LeTekro's work) are all heavenly balanced. The edgier "Share This Love" is yet another killer one while in "Summer Of '91" you'll know what to expect; an explosive melodic rock anthem that jumped out from that golden music era. In "Sagitarius", the band delivers an amazing and very soulful ballad while in "T L M" Hardware '86 sounds like TNT of "10000 Lovers (in one)"!!!!!!! Just awesome! The last song that closes this perfect mini-album entitled "Cheezyfiction" is yet another interesting track all the way. The sax parts here gives to the final result an extra and more 'cheezy' flavor. 

Frickin' awesome album all the way! Hardware '86 with its debut self titled comes to remind us all the reasons why we love this particular scene. One of the biggest, if not THE biggest, surprises of 2019 so far. Six well-performed, killer and heavenly melodic songs that will make you wanna repeat them again and again. PERFECT!

Rating : 10 /10 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hardware86/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardware86music/
Bandcamp: https://hardware86.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist /6pLJsRoK69fkCJ2TMVtKUP?si=nTvwLBASTDGufGJ3KtWSNw