Wicked Smile are a new band on the Australian music scene, but the members could certainly be considered old hands. Danny Cecati (ex Pegazus & Eyefear) joined old friend Steve Janevski (ex Black Majesty & Cyclone Tracy) at the tail end of 2019, with the 2 of them having released 25 full length albums between them and toured the world with their respective bands playing prestigious festivals such as Wacken Open Air, Masters Of Rock, Metal Universe, Hard Rock Hell, and Screamfest amongst others.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWtqZjCqbVg&w=560&h=315]January 2020 saw the release of their debut single ‘We Fall’ to introduce themselves and following an overwhelming response worldwide, including significant support from internet radio, they put together the Delirium EP.
The debut single ‘We Fall’ is the opener with a nod to the lads Aussie heritage as a didgeridoo gets us moving, giving way to some heavy grinding guitars, thumping drums and Cecati’s gritty vocal – and that’s all in the opening minute! This is a track all about government and decision making and it’s a thunderous number to open the EP.
There’s everything you want here with rocking riffs, searing solos, a driving beat and the powerhouse vocals of Cecati. No wonder is was on heavy rotation on some of the internet radio stations.
Next up is ‘Stronger’ which has all the flavours of a classic rock track, a real head banger which opens with some classic riffing and then continues at full tilt for the next three and a half minutes. The track highlights bullying in schools and society as a whole, so has a real strong underlying message, as well as being a well written and crafted number.
‘Loves Got A Hold Of You’ continues the onslaught rising slowly as it starts, giving way to the heavy riffs before Cecati kicks in to give us a catchy, melodic track, which I can already see the crowd singing along to at the live gigs.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=424T5Ut454s&w=560&h=315]Once again you can feel the experience of not only the 2 main protagonists but also the supporting rhythm section, as this is a monster of a track, which needs to be played loud.
The EP closes with ‘Daze of Delirium’, which doesn’t let us down as again the rhythm section give us a heavy thumping beat which drives the track along, allowing Janevski to throw in some lovely solo guitar and Cecati to let rip once more.
‘Delirium’ sounds like a band who are in a hurry to let the world hear what they have to offer and why not? This is head banging, classic inspired, rock of the highest order and Wicked Smile have a whole lot to offer. The EP was over too quickly for my liking as it left me hungry for more and with this release Wicked Smile are sure to be a name to look out for over the coming months and years.
Delirium is released on July 1st 2020
Reviewed by : Howard Whitelaw (for MPM)
