Review: Strategy – Love Tactics
Metalapolis Records (April 11th, 2025)
Reviewer: Jason Hopper
Strategy is a new band formed in Munich, with influences in the 80s hard rock sound as well as bits of prog rock. While most of their songs have straight forward time signatures, there are a few tracks where that prog influence shines through. Overall, they have an interesting sound that can be attributed to their lead singer.
Vocalist Weazzel (Yes, that’s the stage name he chose) has a unique voice for the genre. His vocals would be perfectly at home with an 80s new wave band. In a hard rock setting, it could be divisive. The press release advertises the band as a “New Wave of German Melodic Rock”, so maybe that was what they were going for. Regarding his vocal approach, when he stays within his natural range, he pulls off the songs well enough. However, there’s times when he goes for a higher register that is outside his range and sounds like he is straining to get there. The songs would be better served if did not push himself.
There are some standouts here for sure. ‘Love Tactics’ has the type of melody and rhythm to go toe to toe with many of the current melodic genre greats, reminding me of bands like Captain Black Beard and Nitrate. The tried-and-true formula of building up from quieter verses, utilizing the bridge to increase the urgency, and a chorus that goes for a dramatic key change that incorporates grand harmonized vocals. If it ain’t broke…
The same can apply to the song ‘Catching a Feeling’. It starts out with some interesting rhythmic time signatures and a decent guitar intro before settling into its main rhythm. Pleasant but nothing that stands out… until the chorus. A higher key change and layered vocals bring the song to life and make it the most infectious chorus on the album. These two songs together are the best the album has to offer.
‘Drowning in Heights’ is an interesting song. It has three different tempo changes in the album track, but not the radio single, with both featured on the album. I do appreciate how the longer version is targeted to the fans who would appreciate its progressive constructs, with the single version for those who want more of a “to the point” track.
At nearly eight minutes, ‘Time’ is the big theatrical number on the album. Its high paced tempo was rather intriguing but as always for me, the numerous tempo changes associated with the prog genre dilute the final output. Shaving off two minutes from the slower parts, that sound like a completely different song, would have made a world of difference. Another pet peeve is the ending. It’s a minute and fifteen seconds of nonsensical ticking of clocks. It does not have to drag on that long. No one is going to want to listen to that repeatedly and will hit the skip button immediately upon the end of the rhythmic portion, making its inclusion pointless.
The band does a great cover of Yes’ ‘Into the Lens’. To be fair, I was never a fan of the original with its bizarre lyrics and its progressive synth aspects. Strategy rock it up a bit more and lose some of the pomp.
The gentlemen here are not breaking any new ground here, but they don’t bring anything terribly exciting to the genre either. As stated earlier, the defining element will be the vocals for most people. For me, the singer’s limitations hold the album back, as he sounds like he’s just going through the motions on many tracks. My advice would be to check the album out online first before taking the plunge on any purchase.
Tracklist:
- Passing Time
- Love Tactics
- Catching a Feeling
- Close to Paradise
- Can’t Take It No Longer
- Don’t Break Me
- All the Way
- Drowning in Heights
- Time
- Into the Lens
- Drowning in Heights (Radio Edit)
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