Violet – Mysteria

Violet
Mysteria
Label: Metalapolis Records
Out: December 13^th, 2024
Playing time: 47:48

Violet were founded during a party at the Rockfabrik in Ludwigsburg. The aim was to revive the melodies and hits of the eighties. Three years later, the debut album ‘Illusions’ was released. This allowed the band from Stuttgart to play their way into the limelight in their region. Live, many AOR fans were thrilled. Now the follow-up ‘Mysteria’ is finished.

If you like authentic eighties sound and count bands like Starship, Heart, Toto or Roxette among your favorites, you definitely should not miss Violet!

So, let’s hear what’s true about this statement. The opening song ‘Sex In Harmony’ is the proof. After an acoustic rain shower, a mid-tempo AOR song develops. Singer Jamie Beckham takes centre stage from the start with her enchanting voice, discreetly accompanied by her bandmates. They are probably also responsible for the catchy choruses. There is also a strong guitar solo by Manuel Heller. Keyboard player Filip Kuzanski uses his instrument appropriately for the song and lets a few staccatos sound. ‘Angelina (Talk To Me)’ is more rocky, but also remains consistently in the mid-tempo range. Jamie sings a duet with Manuel. Both voices harmonise perfectly with each other. A song like ‘Bad Dream’ would have been categorised as a stadium anthem in the eighties, with pronounced but never intrusive keyboard tapestries. But those days are probably over. Violet, at least, are unlikely to rock large arenas or stadiums anymore. Although the sound deserves it. ‘That Night’ is introduced by keyboards. They are also present throughout the entire song. The song has a clear Pop-Rock edge. It also has a chorus that is easy to sing along to. ‘Only You’ is another beautiful Rock/Pop anthem. And here, too, there is a catchy chorus. The saxophone solo definitely has something of Toto about it. Keyboards and a clean, almost singing guitar introduce the ballad-like ‘Arms Around’. Later, the vocals are underpinned by restrained instrumentation and keyboard tapestries. The rhythm section only kicks in powerfully during the chorus. And guitarist Manuel Heller once again shines with calm guitar solos. ‘I Don’t Want To Fall In Love’ has a slightly punky attitude at the beginning. The expressive voices of Jamie and Manuel take centre stage, underpinned by sometimes staccato-like keyboards and calm, rhythmic drumming. At the beginning, ‘Mysteria’ suggests a live atmosphere. But it is obviously a Rock anthem in studio production. Once again, Violet demonstrate a fine instinct for beautiful melodies. In addition to guitar and short keyboard solos, a strong bass line can also be heard from time to time. Towards the end, a live atmosphere is once again added to the sound. I don’t know if this is supposed to be funny, because at the beginning of ‘Eighteen In Love’ you can hear a conversation between the band members in the studio or in the rehearsal room. I find this gimmick dispensable. But the retro sound afterwards makes up for it somewhat. Nevertheless, the song is more of a downward outlier for me. Also because of the implied conversation in the middle. The ballad ‘If I Had You’ starts with piano playing. Later, the vocals are accompanied by synth strings. It then becomes more powerful, and a big chorus is heard.

I can only confirm the statement from the press release quoted at the beginning. On ‘Mysteria’, the musicians from Violet travel back in time to the Rock/Pop era of the eighties. And they present a great AOR sound. With minor compromises on ‘Eighteen In Love’. But you can probably get over that. Despite a playing time of more than four minutes in most cases, sometimes even more than five, the songs are radio ready. If there is anything to criticise at all, it is the exclusive focus on the quiet mid-tempo range. The album would have benefited from one or two faster songs.

Violet – Angelina (Talk To Me): https://youtu.be/NB9t3tmyr0c?si=xiQyCMcWazvHftyU

Lineup:

Jamie Beckham – Vocals
Manuel Heller – Guitar, Vocals
Eric Hart – Bass
Filip Kuzanski – Keyboards
Maurice Probst – Drums

Guests:

Alexander Bühl – Saxofon
Mikel Vecino Pees – Spanische Gitarre
Frank Dapper – Additional Drums

Track list:

• Sex In Harmony
• Angelina (Talk To Me)
• Bad Dream,
• That Night
•  Only You
• Arms Around
• I Don’t Want To Fall In Love
• Mysteria
• Eighteen In Love
• If I Had You