With several edgy releases, 2015 has been a very successful year for female fronted Rock bands like Romantic Rebels or The Nearly Deads, to name just two representatives. Another auspicious outstanding act is the originally Melbourne, Australia based band Bellusira, whose name is inspired by two Latin words of beautiful and anger. Releasing their debut album, Connection, in 2013, they hit the Australian Rock scene like a bomb and the record made the top 10 album releases of the year. Promoting that record and sharing the stage with the likes of Flyleaf, Misfits, along with appearances on Metal Fests with acts such as Korn and Seether, Bellusira were well on their way to big things. With the release of Bellusira’ s video for the track “Cachango,“ the band caught the attention of Evanescence drummer Will Hunt who helped them relocate to the United States to flip a new chapter of the band’s book open.
Now located in Los Angeles, CA, the band is now signed to Pavement Records and put out their brand new album, The Healing, as of October 16th. Lead by Vocalist Crystal Ignite, the rest of the band is filled out by Drummer Tosha Jones, Bassist Mark Dalbeth, and original Static-X Guitarist Koichi Fukuda. Fleshing out the sound of the new record, Producers Dan Whittemore (Paramore, Macklemore) and Ulrich Wild (Breaking Benjamin, Deftness, Rob Zombie) were enlisted to work on the band’s first rightful introduction to North America.
Musically, comparing to the mentioned acts they have performed with, the Aussies are more multifaceted by covering the whole spectrum of modern, groovy Rock and Metal music. Whether it be low-tuned and groovy Korn-like, or in solid and modern melodic Rock direction, the soaring and powerful voice of Ignite thrones over the compositions and the superior songwriting. Nevertheless, this always stands in the foreground instead of musical ego-tripping of the musicians. Some of the choruses are drilled into the listeners brain after the albums first go through, especially the Alice in Chains influenced first single “Black Seed.” Also the very melodic tracks “Sister,” or the Korn-riffing and song-structure reminding “Redemption Queen,” Bellusira displays a more aggressive side, turning out cuts that have potential hit-singles written all over them.
As The Healing flows on, more songs disclose their identity as earworms like the album opening “The Fight” with its tight rhythm work. Then there is the simple mid-tempo rocking “How Far” or “Sever” with a great hook-line and melody. In contrast, the wannabe ballad hit “Pieces” elates not and marks the only outage on the album because of its typical chorus. Proving they can do better, Bellusira’s other track in this style, “Tonight,” touches much deeper before the acoustic, also calm title track that closes out the record.
With The Healing, Bellusira deliver a felicitous and solid album, which will mean another big step forward in the band’s career. With an impressive, experienced team of producers, who timbered a contemporary, powerful sound, the four-piece will create an excitement in their adopted country of the USA. It is not a question if Bellusira deserve success, it is a question of Rock fans discovering this great collection of songs. While these days touring their home Australia supporting the Grammy Winners Halestorm, it is only a matter of time before they find themselves making a massive wave in the Hard Rock world. CrypticRock gives The Healing 4 out of 5 stars.
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