So, let me preface this to say that I am a huge Extreme fan. I have mentioned many a time before that I was raised by Satriani, Vai, Malmsteen, Gilbert and of course one Mr Nuno Bettencourt.
I’ll never forget discovering Pornografitti way back when, it was a magical time for hair metal, Whitesnake 87’, Slippery When Wet, Hysteria, yes the tide was changing and Grunge was breaking through, but for anyone that just appreciated good music the wave of Grunge from Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Soundgarden to name but a few were on the hi-fi alongside Extreme’s Pornografitti day in, day out.
As a guitar head, I was mesmerised by Bettencourts’ busy hands, I’ve never known a guitarist like him, other than the instrumental shredders who cover more notes in any one song, especially In the environment of an established band. The constant runs and fills that packed out every track on that album was mind-blowing and I was in hook, line and sinker. It was only the start and they delivered a few more brilliant albums after that with III Sides To Every Story and Waiting For The Punchline before a lengthy break, solo projects and side hussle’s before 2008’s Saudades De Rock and of course some 15 years later we are back with Six.
The album opens with its lead single Rise and one of the most talked about guitar solos of the year, Bettencourt is back and Rise drives that home. A strong song in its own right with a hefty riff and dark-sounding vibe throughout it delivers in spades. Rebel kicks in with another gnarly riff, there is definitely a heftier vibe with the bands latest sound, the heft keeps hitting you in the chest, with Cherone’s vocals on fire you get everything you would want from these first two songs, right back in your happy place with the boys. Banshee delivers yet more down-tuned riffage as Nuno exorcises his inner demons, as with any Extreme track they are all easy on the ear hefty or not, melodic and addictive they have you up shaking your booty in no time. Other Side Of The Rainbow is our first acoustic number of the new album and reminds us of that big anthemic, melodic-charm Extreme have in abundance. A tasty guitar solo is thrown in and keeps the shredders in check. Small Town Beautiful opens up again with an acoustic guitar and Gary’s emotive vocals and interchanging runs with Nuno remind us all that Extreme is a band of many parts.
The Mask has a dark almost industrial feel to it with it’s pulsating rhythm, gnarly seems to be the overall feel of the album, a darker more intense vibe that allows the guys to flex their proverbial musical muscles. Before you know it you will be whizzing your way across this intriguing album, packed with a rollercoaster ride of songs that retain the charm of Extreme but have moved the band on another trajectory, with subtle Industrial and EDM vibes poking through occasionally the sound of their earlier body of work seems a distant memory with the guys more mature, angstier sound cutting through. I am sure SIX will feed the masses of Extreme fans out there who have been craving the band’s return for many years, but be ready for a different Extreme in 2023, these guys mean business!
SIX arrives June 9th courtesy of earMusic.
Pre-order “SIX” HERE.
Track-listings:
1. RISE
2. #REBEL
3. BANSHEE
4. OTHER SIDE OF THE RAINBOW
5. SMALL TOWN BEAUTIFUL
6. THE MASK
7. THICKER THAN BLOOD
8. SAVE ME
9. HURRICANE
10. X OUT
11. BEAUTIFUL GIRLS
12. HERE’S TO THE LOSERS
See EXTREME live at one of the upcoming dates:
June 2023:
Fri 02 – Best of Blues and Rock Festival – Sao Paulo, BR
September 2023
Wed 06 – Astor Theatre, Perth #
Fri 08 – Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide #
Sun 10 – Forum Theatre, Melbourne #
Tue 12 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney #
Wed 13 – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane #
Sun 17- Sendai GIGS
Tue 19 – KT Zepp Yokohama
Thu 21 – Tokyo Hitomi Memorial Hall
Mon 25 – Nagoya Shimin Kaikan Hall
Tue 26 – Osaka Zepp Namba
# with Living Colour
November 2023
Mon 27 – UK, Newcastle – o2 City Hall
Tue 28 – UK, Glasgow, o2 Academy
Thu 30 – UK Manchester, Academy
December 2023
Fri 01 – UK, Wolves Civic
Sun 03 – UK, Bristol Academy
Mon 04 – UK, London, Forum
Thu 07 – France, Paris – Salle Pleyel
Fri 08 – Switzerland, Pratteln/Basel – Konzertfabrik Z7
Sun 10 – Germany, Berlin – Huxleys
Mon 11 – Germany, Cologne – Live Music Hall
Tue 12 – Holland, Amsterdam – Melkweg Max
Thu 14 – Belgium, Antwerp – Trix
Sat 16 – Italy, Milan – Alcatraz
Living Colour support for UK, The Last Internationale support for EU.
EXTREME Useful Links: