Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Artist: Pelhan
Label: Self-released
Release: 2013
Length: 54:11
Rating: 4/5
Pelhan hit the scene with their studio debut »V neznano« right on cue. Not much worth mentioning is happening on the Slovenian hard rock scene at the moment. It’s the calm before the storm, and Pelhan are the first to announce that storm. Requiem are “chasing” their tail again, Chateau and Šank Rock are firmly a thing of the past, Mary Rose have been promising a new record for an eternity, and yet it’s nowhere to be seen… And still, there are new incarnations on the way that promise a lot. Besides Pelhan, there are the long-awaited debuts from Broken Arrow and San Di Ego, for example.
So from the ashes of Slovenian hard rock’s recent history rose Pelhan, with their first record »V neznano«. Even though both the album and the band struck the scene like a bolt from the blue, the groundwork for their birth had been simmering for a very long time. Thirteen years. But the wheel of fate is merciless and loves to play games with us. Better now than never. Better when you’re experienced and know exactly what you’re after than when you’re stumbling around a studio in wet-behind-the-ears naivety, armed with dangerous toys. Aleš Pelhan has finally managed to realize his ideas – some of them really old. He gathered the finest musicians of Slovenian hard rock and heavy metal around him. Miha Nedoh, who became “free” after Requiem’s lineup with Sergej Škofljanec broke up, jumped in on drums. Pelhan’s old pal from RoXoN and Fajht couldn’t have been a more reliable partner in crime. Then there’s the seasoned bassist Matjaž Švagelj, who has played in Prizma and Kalamari and was a pillar of support for the sadly departed Danilo Kocjančič, plus Peter Smrdel (ShadowIcon, Divine Illusion), one of the best hard rock and heavy metal keyboardists of the new generation in Slovenia right now. The band was recently rounded out by the excellent multi-instrumentalist Gregor Volk (Obroč, Volk Folk, Forgotten Eden), who is primarily in charge of guitar riffs. Volk appears on »V neznano« only as a guest musician (violin), while Aleš Pelhan played all the guitars himself (solos included).
Most of the songs on the album follow the melodic catchiness of the old school of Slovenian hard rock in full-blooded doses. »V neznano« is a typical example of it. Pelhan cultivate a live, stripped-down sound where the raw character of the riffs hits more directly. That rocky riff quality is weighed down by the chunkiness of the »Hammond« keyboard sound. In that respect you can spot a nice bag of cues from classic seventies hard rock in Pelhan’s music (Deep Purple). The guitar solos have excellent note placement and “pop” out of the songs in just the right dose. They keep the tracks tight and deepen the dynamic swings in mood.
Aleš Pelhan’s voice is the centerpiece. His approach to vocal delivery is ultra-melodic and gets the most out of the interplay between verse and chorus. The vocals have one essential advantage: a recognizable tone, charisma, resolve and confident command. They can sound distinctly dark, like in the requiem to his friend Gregor (the song Gregor) – those of you who know the speed metallers Dawn Patrol will quickly figure out where Aleš brought this element into Pelhan from now and then. His sensuality (Prekleti raj), his passion and, as already mentioned, a big innate feel for melodic use of the voice work especially well.
The song Mrtvo mesto, written back when the band Fajht was active, is an interesting cross between Requiem in the verse, with a bit of Survivor’s »Eye Of A Tiger« vibe sneaking into it (the verse, that is). Even though the production of »V neznano« maintains the chunkiness and liveliness of the retro hard rock tradition, an AOR contour occasionally creeps in as well. Alongside Mrtvo mesto, the song Moč domišljije definitely belongs in this bunch too. As soon as the Hammond sound “steps aside” for piano and synth, the rattly, melodic bass line starts to stand out more noticeably, like a leveler, while Aleš Pelhan’s vocals work brilliantly, squeezing out the maximum melodic payoff. Nov človek fits in here too, with the guitar riff pushed to the front, but with its ultra-melodic invasiveness the band even gets close to the Scandinavian school of melodic rock, the likes of Treat, Renegade or 220 Volt. With a few production tweaks toward more detail and separation in the sound, the AOR reach of these songs would be even bigger.
Pelhan’s advantage over most records released in recent years by Slovenian hard rock bands is also the excellent use of multi-part vocal harmonies that dress up the choruses here and there. One of the best ideas in this regard hides in the almost arena-sized weight of the backing for the chorus of Nov človek. It’s an old Roxon song that matured over the years and reached an exceptional point of creative finalization. That’s the elementary trademark that is recognizable and demanded when we can say an album offers a fully competent hard rock experience. Something that felt more at home on the Slovenian scene in the eighties is getting back on its feet only now, in new times. And »V neznano« is certainly one of the important players in that. It’s precisely in light of that realization that the song V neznano was picked as the album’s first single. It’s a track with effective mood build-up that fully cashes in on the chorus, with one of the most successful arrangements on the album when it comes to songs that have to hit the listener “right out of the gate”.
The members of Pelhan are experienced musicians who know exactly how to build an arrangement that delivers a level of quality you can’t argue with. »V neznano« moves along a recognizable musical track, but at the same time offers a tightly carved passion for variety in the main motifs from song to song, which is the fruit of the artistic maturing of the musicians who created these arrangements.
Pelhan never sound naive, even if some generic moments sneak into the riffs now and then. That feeling is masterfully hidden. First and foremost, what leads the listener away from that realization is Aleš Pelhan’s resolute, authoritative and charismatic voice, which never lets up in passion, as well as Peter Smrdel’s excellent, sparkling and inventive choice of ideas for filling out the keyboard soundscape.
By Slovenian standards, Pelhan’s debut is an excellent piece of work. It sounds alive, pulses with dynamics, and you can feel the exceptional chemistry between the building blocks. It’s a manifesto of Slovenian hard rock cut in the best manner, and as such a definite high point. Fans of Requiem, Šank Rock, Mary Rose,… have to grab it. It can’t disappoint. The album offers a bunch of “seeds for development”, and it’ll be interesting to watch where Pelhan grow from here. In the song Blizu je zadnji izdih they also deliver a dramatic mood swing, woven from a stretched-out instrumental section, which hints that the band is well versed in the knowledge and power of composing more demanding pieces. The cornerstone has been laid with great distinction!
Lineup
Aleš Pelhan – vocals, guitar
Matjaž Švagelj – bass guitar, backing vocals
Peter Smrdel – keyboards, backing vocals
Miha Nedoh – drums
GUEST MUSICIANS:
Gregor Volk – violin
Tony Cater – saxophone
Peter Prijatelj – harmonica, backing vocals
Ana Prijatelj – backing vocals
Jože Jež “Pepi” – backing vocals
Marko Petrič – backing vocals
Boštjan Špende – backing vocals
Sebastjan Fabčič – backing vocals
Jure Počkaj – backing vocals
Production
Matjaž Švagelj & Aleš Pelhan
Tracklist
01. Če jutri umrem
02. Nov človek
03. Gregor
04. Mrtvo mesto
05. Pesem zate
06. V neznano
07. Prekleti raj
08. V zavest
09. Moč domišljije
10. Okrog najine osi
11. Pravi obraz
12. Blizu je zadnji izdih
