Are You Down with the Von Hertzen Brothers?
The way I see it, the Von Hertzen Brothers’ new single, “Trouble,” has three issues which ultimately prevent it from being a really a great song. Those issues are:
1. The verse is a dressed-down folk metal melody, which is to say, it’s kind of irritating.
2. The band’s vocalist, Shecky Von Hertzen. He’s got a serious case of the LaBries: his falsetto vocals make you wanna tape his mouth shut. There are guys like Bruce Dickinson and Rob Halford who can pull this style of singing off because there’s just something inherently gruff about their delivery, but dudes like LaBrie and Von Hertzen sound like they’ve had all their rough spots sanded down, giving their high notes a super-whiny quality.
3. The song’s lyrics, which are sometimes silly to the point of distraction, such as when Shecky sings:
You’re insincere
Devoid of Fear
Hiding ’til the coast is clear
Why is the subject of Shecky’s wrath hiding if he or she is devoid of fear? This is Logic 101, dudes. Get with the program.
These three issues collectively create a real bummer, because otherwise, “Trouble” is really cool. Imagine how this band would sound with a Ronnie James Dio… or even a Mikael Åkerfeldt, alternating between his dual personas, Dr. Bloodbath and Poetry-Loving Bergman Character. That shit would sound so boss! And would probably call attention away from the lyrics/folk metal botheration.
Check out “Trouble” below and see if you disagree with me or not. The trio’s new album, New Day Rising, comes out March 23 on Spinefarm.
