Hot on the heels of the band's success with their Billboard charting (Bombshell) release in 2006, (Strip'em Blind Live) CD success in 2007, coupled with their relentless touring in Europe, Kentucky based rockers HYDROGYN r... more »eturn to form with the release of their new opus (Deadly Passions). The Haunting, yet powerful vocals of the beautiful Julie Westlake, and the stunning press photos taken by John Scarpati (Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson etc) will ensure that this band are front page news right across the Globe.« less
Hot on the heels of the band's success with their Billboard charting (Bombshell) release in 2006, (Strip'em Blind Live) CD success in 2007, coupled with their relentless touring in Europe, Kentucky based rockers HYDROGYN return to form with the release of their new opus (Deadly Passions). The Haunting, yet powerful vocals of the beautiful Julie Westlake, and the stunning press photos taken by John Scarpati (Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson etc) will ensure that this band are front page news right across the Globe.
CD Reviews
A BRILLIANT MASTERPIECE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ronald L. Miller | Crichton, WV USA | 06/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"From the very start of "Deadly Passions", one gets the sense that HYDROGYN are very intent on laying down the gauntlet and just kicking everyone's butt! The first track, "Rejection" is fueled with intensity and fire and from here on the CD just cranks it all the way up to 11 and takes the listener to a place where few bands are capable of going.
The second track, "On And On" is a song that pulls you in from the keyboard/guitar/bass tinged intro and Julie's sultry vocal to the kick that truly turns this song into a Rock/Metal anthem. Every nuance of this CD is just freaking mind blowing! I honestly believe that this CD deserves to be hailed in a league all its own. That is just how great "Deadly Passions" is.
"Your Life" and title track, "Deadly Passion" are simply blistering and lead up to the cover song, "You Oughta Know", and I have to tell you that Julie Westlake makes this song her own, in every way. Her vocal prowess is second to none, as is Jeff Westlake's production skills. This dude is a musical genius and deserves a lot of credit for the awesome sound that is HYDROGYN.
"Over You" is a blitzkrieg of sound that grabs you with its infectious groove and leads into the awesome "Candles Light Your Face". This song has hit written all over it and the music on this track is just superb in every way. Just listen to the vocal harmonies. Simply awesome!
"Seroquil" is a song that exudes power and ferocity and shows the bands creative genius hard at work. I just have to say how thunderous Josh Kitchen and Chris Sammons rhythm work is. These guys are truly a force to be reckoned with. And Sammons is a beast on Backing Vocals and Screams!
My favorite two tracks are back to back, "Silent Animation" and "Shadows". Julie's vocals really shine on these tracks and I get the chills when I hear her sing on these two songs. I honestly have to say that I have never gotten the chills while listening to any other female vocalist before. She has such a blessed voice and she truly has the ability to touch a persons heart and soul with a single word, either spoken, or sang. "Shadow" will make you cry. Just listen to it once and you'll see what I mean. It makes me think about losing my Dad the day he died and about the day that my dog that I had for 15 years died. The two worst times in my life, for sure. You always believe that the persons that you love, or the pets that you love and care for will always be with you. It's not until you realize that their shadows are no longer there to be by your side for comfort, that you truly know what being without them, and being alone is.
The bonus track, "I Know" is a great way to end what I call "THE GREATEST CD EVER RECORDED IN THE HISTORY OF ROCK/METAL MUSIC"!!!!! I just cannot say enough about HYDROGYN or about "Deadly Passions"! From start to finish, this is A BRILLIANT MASTERPIECE!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to Julie, Jeff, Chris, and Josh for choosing to do a harder CD this time around. "Bombshell" is an excellent CD, but "Deadly Passions" is mind blowing in every way!
I more than highly recommend this masterpiece to everyone! Satisfaction guaranteed is HYDROGYN "DEADLY PASSIONS".
"
A real rocking band with a rocking girl singer
J. F. Kotek | 08/08/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A friend of mine introduced me to this band with the "Bombshell" release. I was expecting maybe a little more of a rocker then say "Evanescence". Boy was I wrong, this girl has pipes and a voice that you couldn't believe. I ended up getting "Best served with volume" Hydrogyn's first release and you can tell how Julie's voice has grown, especially now with this latest release. I have to say I loved every track except the remake of "You Oughta Know". The ones I loved the most was the title track "Deadly Passion" and the Bonus track "I Know" which I didn't even know was there because I was rockin so much to it in the car. This band needs airplay or webplay or any play because I haven't heard this good of a rocking band in a long time."
Hard to believe
Zenlatin | Chicago, Illinois | 07/16/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"...but this album is better than the first. "Bombshell" is a great album (except a couple songs) but this on hooked me on every track. I really cannot find a bad song on it. The only complaint I have is that the import version has no liner notes nor lyrics included. Is this the way of the future? Hopefully not.
Basically, pick this one up. You will not be disappointed. Julie's voice sounds great singing rock, hard to believe she was a country singer before. Jeff and the rest kick arse."
Women can rock!!!!
J. Brown | Utah | 04/20/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this after it was recommended to me by Amazon, and listening to a few of the tracks. It is awesome! Julie has a great voice that goes well with the rockin' music. I can't wait to get Bombshell. Hydrogyn rocks!!!!"
More of the same, which is fairly cool with me
Paul Lawrence | Australia | 04/14/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"OK, a bands debut is almost always going to hit you harder than when you know what to expect but this sophomore selection of tunes from Hydrogyn is still pretty much the smelly stuff. The songs are mostly straight ahead rock numbers with clean but not hospital sanitised production from guitarist Jeff Westlake with a bit of a hand from a couple of outsiders - one of whom is Michael Wagener of Double Trouble who was involved with the debut.
As per the debut these numbers are tinged with the alt.country music that these people grew up listening to and it's faint touch does set this group apart from the sleaze rock revivalists that are a dime a dozen. But their hard rockin' roots are way on display - score yourself a listen to opening track Rejection with it's full metal racket guitar solo. Julies' vocals are a tad better on this album, not in terms of range etc but more in her slightly improved ability to impart emotion through her voice. The improvement is small but welcome and the band seem more at ease with their sound such as on the pretty tasty title cut.
Once again we get an interesting cover song. You Oughta Know by Alanis Morrisette is a strange choice but the band do an OK job however changing the explicit lyric that everyone waits for to a tamer line was kind of a lame move. I mean, this is a rock band right? You are allowed to swear if it's correct to do so within the confines of the song. What, do they think the bible belt will disown them for a single swear word when a seductively posed Julie is sprawled over the back cover?
But I over digress. This is a fine slice of modern hard rock with some more metallic moments and a dash of country to provide individuality. And with the aforementioned juicy graphics this probably works well for late night plundering or cranking from your pick up truck."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1