It was exactly two years ago today that I was taken aback by Hitten’s evolution from NWOTHM trendsetters to glam metal juggernaut with the release of their fourth album, Triumph & Tragedy. From the underlying hedonistic attitude to the genuine turbo-charged ’80s production, it was refreshing to hear a band channel commercial era Scorpions as opposed to Priest or Maiden for the zillionth time. It made me wonder if this creative detour was nothing more than a fluke or a sign of things to come. Well everybody, our answer arrives two years later with Hitten’s latest outing, While Passion Lasts.
By comparison, Triumph & Tragedy feels like a warmup compared to the all-out ’80s extravaganza that is While Passion Lasts. Every aspect of this album recalls that of a glam metal mega-seller circa ’86. The riffs and solos are heavy, but not too heavy to the point of drowning out the hooks, melodies, vocals, and every other nuance that defines an album of this nature. Think somewhere along the lines of Dokken and Ratt in their creative prime. The album’s accompanying atmosphere is equally rad, and when I saw this was mastered by our good pal Erik Mårtensson of Eclipse fame, I can’t say I was surprised.
Among the cuts that embody this aesthetic are the opening title track, “Blood from a Stone”, and “Truthful Lies”. All of these songs are heavy and powerful, but played and produced in such a manner that would’ve made them accessible to rock radio 35+ years ago. One can’t deny the mind blowing twin guitar chops of axemen Dani Meseguer and Johnny Locra, both locked in à la Warren DeMartini and Robbin Crosby from start to finish. This dynamic duo leads the charge on this album, adding layers of depth to the lion’s share of this no frills glam metal assault.
Similar to Triumph & Tragedy, there are occasional glimpses of AOR on this album as well. The incorporation of synths throughout recall Winger’s debut. Meanwhile, outliers like the swaggering “Unholy Games” and dramatic “Where It All Begins” come off as songs that ’80s glam metal bands would put on an album to prove they were more than just sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll. The only two songs on here that would fit on Hitten’s earlier outings are ripping traditional rager “Dark Stalker” and the speed-glam blitz that is “Crimetime”, proving that Hitten could still hang with the heaviest of the NWOTHM crop.
I could overanalyze how things slightly tapper off during this album’s latter half, or how the glam metal tunes tend to sound cut from the same cloth, but honestly, I’d be doing the both of us a disservice if I did. Much like its predecessor, the purpose of While Passion Lasts is to provide the listener with a nostalgia driven blast of fun. In that department, Hitten has succeeded and then some. As we make our way into the cold, unforgiving grip of winter, While Passion Lasts will keep you hot all season long!
7 out of 10
Label: High Roller Records
Genre: Glam Metal
For fans of: Dokken, Ratt, Scorpions