Escape Music (2012)

The second album from Swiss hard rockers Polution has much in common with their domestic forefathers Krokus and Gotthard. “Beyond Control” is all about blues based, three chord riff rock, getting to the crux of hooks and choruses with little separating the energy exchange between musicians and fans. Occasionally the five piece veer into modern Nickelback land - specifically the tender ballad “Forever And A Day” as well as the staccato driven “War” - something that I’m unsure the older pocket of followers will appreciate as much as maybe their sons or daughters. The quick hitting dual guitar harmonies on “Fire” as well as the cool chugging breeze within the mid-tempo “Follow Me” and the closing AC/DC-like “All-In” suit Polution better with their skill set.

Vocalist Pascal Gwerder has a sassy, spirited delivery that works on the up tempo tracks like “Live Until You Die” and “Bite Me”- it’s more of a Buckcherry meets The Offspring approach. It doesn’t work as well when they attempt an obvious modern rock radio song- he doesn’t have the multi-level power octane melodies that the greats like Lou Gramm, Paul Rodgers or even Brent Smith of Shinedown need to make their mark. You can feel the Gibson SG’s and Les Paul’s smoking through your speakers, while the rhythm section of bassist Andreas Betschart and drummer Armin Betschart lay in the four on the floor pocket to keep the toes tapping and hands clapping.

Polution (with one L, not two) need to decide on album three where their hearts reside musically- “Beyond Control” is adequate but I fear their sound isn’t distinct enough to attract the diehard early Krokus or Gotthard fanatics to the fold. As such I place this act in the ‘potential’ breakthrough category.

www.polution.ch
www.escape-music.com

Rating: 3.5 / 6

Composed by Matt Coe