Review | All I Know – Stiletto Nightmare

Juvenile Records

Brought to our attention by longtime friend Mike de Coene, the new EP from the Belgian band All I Know called ‘Stiletto Nightmare’ stands as a sheer nostalgic revival of times past. Following their 2008 release ‘Vanity Kills’, the band reports back with their signature styled slick 80s melodic rock.

NEW TRACKS

The EP features 4 new tracks capturing the essence of 80s finest. Blending subtle and catchy melodic rock structures with AOR distinct verses and bridges, All I Know sounds authentic and genuine all over. Don’t expect menacing guitars or heavied up foundations, but slick nesting hooks and licks that propel the lush atmosphere deeply rooted in the nostalgic content of that era. Signal, FM and Alias come to mind, but the band remains on the safe side.

Opener ,,Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” is the perfect example. It all gels extremely well and the drizzle of keys atop the lush melody makes the content landing immediately. The vocal interaction of guitarist Ward Dufraimont and drummer Kurt Deramoudt with fronting vocalist Veerle Vanrysselberghe is close and harmonious, evoking the best Westcoast AOR moments. The foundation is solid, propelling the songs in mid-tempo, while the production is clean, yet open and powerful.

A VARIETY OF MELODIES

Drawing deeper from the FM registers ,,As Long As The Night Goes On” opens with a slick lick kicking the song into action. Throbbing bass and distinct vocal interaction pull into a slick and mega harmonious chorus while the memorable lick returns to the fold. Veerle’s vocals are grounded and sultry, occasionally towering higher. Enjoyable and immediately nesting, with a guitar solo supported by jabbing keys fluently locking. Injecting a heavier tone, guitars with sleazy distortion and turbulent drums undeath rolling bass lines kick ,,Playin’ With Fire” into gear. A variety of melodies are piled with the guitar lick and hook reverting. Riffing atop the bass the song builds firmly into its bridge and harmonized choirs and chorus. Veerle exchanges vocal duties with her counterparts, adding to the appeal of the track, that is one of the finer moments. Even the annoying handclaps start to feel in tune.

,,Hidin’ from Love” retains the bigger sound with thumping drums and keys raining to the front. Vocal interaction is key again with Ward and Veerle gradually working towards the harmonies of the song’s chorus. Breathing a soundtrack reminiscent vibe, the song is one of those tunes sounding familiar at first spin. All comes together fine with 80s radio waves shouting for it to be played.

ALL I KNOW – THE CONCLUSION

‘Stiletto Nightmare’ isn’t the groundbreaking and earthshaking new melodic rock album exploring boundaries, but rather emulates the best of those decades. Innovation lacking the songs still firmly hold up with fans being warped back into the heydays of melodic rock. Loads of influences to be spotted the band impresses with quality compositions and fine-tuned feeling for harmonies and melodic interplay. Safe but subtle, it stands as a time capsule of melodic rock and AOR.

Release date: 1 August 2024