Bad Weather Project – Stormriders

Bad Weather Project

Stormriders

by Guy (Kai) Naiman at 14 July 2015, 1:08 AM

When I was initially requested to review "Stormriders", the least of my expectations have prepared me for what I went through. It seemed like I had to go back in time to the late 80's, early 90's grunge rock days, in order to truly understand the music delivered by Italian underdogs BAD WEATHER PROJECT.

The very first thing that comes to mind at the first take of the album is the unbelievable amount of similarity that bands like PEARL JAM and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS had on the composition structures and riff of BAD WEATHER PROJECT on "Stormriders". This utterly means that there isn’t anything intuitive in the music, just plain old-school grungy hard rock.

If there's anything that went terribly wrong with the music on "Stormriders", it's the inaccuracy in many precious moments that seem to fall out of place quite often. The performance given by vocalist Crisix is not merely satisfactory, and balance in the harsh vocals department is missing. The lyrics do not do the band any favor, as they don't prompt any real necessity – that means, the band could've settled a lot stronger as an instrumental act.

BAD WEATHER PROJECT try their hardest to push through the curtains of idleness, but the music on "Stormriders" just can't justify such a move. In order to unchain themselves, I expect at least three things to happen: a serious work on the vocals department, and if that fails to retrieve consequences, a possible line-up change would be crucial. Secondly, the very generic and secure grunge riffs are definitely a barricade on the Italian party BAD WEATHER PROJECT's musicianship. This band has a lot more potential that they show, which is a shame. Last, but not least, "Stormriders" didn't have any kick to it. It feels like a strained and stretched same riff played over and over again, remorselessly.

With all of that being said, I do not disqualify BAD WEATHER PROJECT's "Stormriders" completely. There is an interest to bring a bit more out of what the listeners can hear in this release. I believe their sound is going through neverending evolvution that needs to be redirected in order to flourish.