Powerhill – Generation X

Powerhill
Generation X
Label: Dr. Music Records
Out: June 27^th, 2025
Playing time: 40:38

Clotilde rocks the ‘Farm Metal’ stage with POWERHILL’s debut album “Generation X” on the alp

That’s probably one of the funniest claims I’ve ever read in a press release. Clotilde is a cow dressed entirely in lacquer and leather and is the band’s mascot. Powerhill was founded in 2006 in a barn in the Swiss municipality of Taverne (Canton Ticino) by guitarist and producer Alberto ‘Cep’ Ceppi. That year, the band released their first single, ‘New Dimension,’ which brought them their first success. Shortly afterwards, however, they took a long break. It wasn’t until 2018 that Cep reformed the band. After that, they released a number of other singles and their first EP, ‘Bunnies & Eggs,’ with five songs. Now, in June, the time is ready for their debut album, ‘Generation X’. In the video for the title track, Clotilde can be seen playing the drums from time to time, and on Encyclopaedia Metallum, singer Veronica Torre is listed as the drummer. The fact is, however, that none other than drumming legend Jörg Michael (Stratovarius, Running Wild, Axel Rudi Pell, among others) played the drums on the album.

There’s a crackling sound, quiet keyboards and guitars. Then a loud Metal Scream! That’s how the title song ‘Generation X’ starts. The scream comes from the vocal cords of front woman Veronica Torre. What an introduction. Then the Swiss rockers get going. The powerful vocals are accompanied by brilliant guitar solos. ‘Bonfire’ has nothing to do with the Hard Rock band from Ingolstadt. It’s a quiet, melodic song characterised by hard riffs. Keys can be heard again and again, but fortunately they are very restrained. But the highlight is once again a strong guitar solo, in duet with keyboard sounds. Veronica lets out another high scream at the end. Hard riffs introduce ‘Fat Side’. A really fat sound dominates later on as well. Alberto Ceppi shows his skills once again. You want to sing the refrain together with Veronica. But then the guitars gallop briefly, whipped up by drummer Jörg Michael, Cep lets his fingers fly over the guitar strings. Sacred organ sounds introduce ‘That’s Fine’. After the guitar and rhythmic drums kick in, an electric piano creates a contemplative atmosphere. A beautiful ballad characterised by powerful vocals. After that, ‘The One I Wanna Be’ invites you to headbang. Even if there are quieter sections in between. Once again, you can quickly sing along to the refrain. Are we in a cowshed? Loud mooing cows can be heard. No, as the title ‘Mad Cow City’ suggests, we are in the city of mad cows. And they are stomping vigorously across the meadows. Veronica sings with a slightly raspy voice. For me, this is the highlight of the album, thanks to the driving drums, the hard riffs and another great guitar solo. And, of course, because of the cows. This is a celebration of ‘farm metal’. ‘My Mood’ is a great Metal ballad with a strong Southern Rock influence. Veronica swings into higher pitches in places. Heartbreakingly beautiful. ‘Better Safe Than Sorry’ starts with a deep bass line. But then the guitar riffs take over. In the second half, it gets a little quieter, with Veronica’s spoken words later replaced by a guitar solo. And again, there are some screams to be heard. The last regular song is the band’s anthem ‘Powerhill’. Riffs, guitars with wah-wah effect and thunderous drums define the song. Added to this is the singer’s bluesy voice. The first encore is ‘Rehearsal Barn’, a visit to the rehearsal room (or rehearsal barn?). The finale is the radio version of the title song ‘Generation X’, a version that is nearly thirty seconds shorter.

Switzerland is known for its outstanding Rock and Metal bands. With ‘Generation X’, Powerhill convincingly joins this long list. With their debut, the Ticino band has really delivered. I can highly recommend this album to every Metal fan!

Powerhill – Generation X: https://youtu.be/rzHpfi363tA?si=LGznhJ7jos6Xq5zq

Lineup:

Veronica Torre – Gesang
Alberto ‘Cep’ Ceppi – Gitarre
Luca ‘Chewbe’ Gentile – Bass
Jörg Michael – Drums

Track list:

• Generation X
• Bonfire
• Fat Side
• That’s Fine
• The One I Wanna Be
• Mad Cow City
• My Mood
• Better Safe Than Sorry
• Powerhill
• Rehearsal Barn
• Generation X (Radio Edit)