Customer Reviews

Rock Ain't Dead

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For everyone who has grown tired of seeing this cd selling for $100.00 or more on E-Bay, here it is....and better than ever!

This hasn't been available on CD in almost 15 years, and now it's been re-release with 2 (pretty decent) bonus tracks.

If you're a fan of melodic rock, or of this band...have any of their other albums, or just want to replace your old LP or cassette of this title...GET IT NOW!..before it's out of print again.

"Rock ain't Dead" is the second studio album by British melodic hard rock band "Heavy Pettin", originally released in 1985, reissued by "Majestic Rock" in 2003. Though often regarded as a NWOBHM group, "Heavy Pettin" actually debuted a year later in 1983; in addition the band brought to front a sound and image that hard more in common with American AOR and glam metal than British heavy metal.

In fact "Heavy Pettin"s melodic hard rock style has been further smoothened on this second album sounding incredibly similar to fellow UK melodic hard rockers "Shy". You can expect over-produced rhythm section, melodic guitar lines (which turn into crystal clean chords during the power ballads), moderate use of background keyboards and high pitched, but overly melodic, vocals in the style of Tony Mills and Tony Harnell.

The line up features lead singer Hamie, guitarist Punky Mendoza and Gordon Bonnar, bassist Brian Waugh and drummer Gary Moat. In terms of songwriting "Heavy Pettin" is built on the same catchy hooks and rhythm patterns found on a "Def Leppard" album, though the delivery, as mentioned above, is far more rocking. "Rock ain't Dead" holds a fair amount of powerful melodic rockers in "Heart Attack", "China Boy", the power ballads "Lost in Love" and "Dream time" and the super dramatic "Sole Survivor"-an unforgettable chorus by any means. Conclusively if you are a fan of the 80s melodic rock scene of the UK, "Heavy Pettin"s second album should work perfectly for you.

I can't think of any other rock bands from Scottland. Heavy Pettin sound like early Def Leppard. This is a good pop metal record. Some catchy riffs, the vocals get a little annoying, a little too high pitched sometimes but Pettin came up with some catchy riffs. Unfortunately the band dissolved shortly after this record. A 3rd record called BIG BANG should be avoided at all costs.

1985's Rock ain't Dead was the second album from Heavy Pettin', a melodic hard rock band from Scotland that was loosely associated with the important 80's New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) scene.

Rock ain't Dead initially drew some criticism from fans who thought the band softened their sound, but Heavy Pettin' was always closer to Def Leppard than Iron Maiden. Criticism aside, Rock ain't Dead is a fantastic slab of anthemic arena rock, full of rousing choruses, powerful guitar solos, and the kind of dramatic keyboards you'd only find on a mid 80's rock album. It's very similar to what Def Leppard was doing at the time (circa High and Dry and Pyromania), but there are also similarities to White Sister, Y&T, Autograph, and heavier Night Ranger.

It may not win over serious metalheads, but Rock ain't Dead is the kind of album that 80's rock fans should definitely seek out.

Majestic reissued Rock ain't Dead in 2003, and in addition to the digitally remastered sound, the new version includes two bonus tracks - Crazy and City Girl. Both are studio tracks that fit the overall sound of the album. If they're demos, they certainly don't sound like it.

I've been a big fan of these guys, for a long time. Their first effort, "Lettin' Loose", is much more listenable. This has good harmonies, but much too much screaming, though. This is a good effort, over all, if you're interested in '80s melodic rock.