SVEN GALI – 3 (2020 EP)
Sven Gali have not had an easy ride. Their debut Sven Gali was just a year too late to make them into the rock heroes they seemed destined to be. Had it come out in 1991, they would have had a massive hit on their hands. The second album Inwire (1995) was a reaction to the 90s alterna-metal scene. The band reunited in 2007, but tragedy struck when cancer killed founding guitarist Dee Cernile in 2012.
Against the odds, Sven Gali persevered and in 2018 added some heavy firepower to the lineup: Dan Fila and Sean Williamson of Varga. One by one, they began releasing new tracks. Now in 2020 we have the first new Sven Gali release in 25 years: an EP called 3.
Somewhat surprisingly, Sven Gali did not revert back to the hard rock anthemic sound that was the cornerstone of their debut album. Instead they picked up where they left off on Inwire, with four new songs produced by David Bendeth who also produced their debut. Incredibly it sounds like they haven’t missed a step. Even more incredibly, it’s some of their best stuff! Singer Dave Wanless has lost nothing. The band is still rounded out by original members: guitarist Andy Frank and bassist Shawn Minden.
The four songs all share melodic vocal hooks, heavy guitars and aggressive grooves. With the addition of Fila and Williamson, the band have rebuilt themselves into a beast heavier than before. Picking a favourite isn’t possible because this EP is not immediate. Like many favourites that stand the test of time, 3 will take some listens to fully absorb and love. Fortunately we have a whole summer ahead of us to do that. The EP has the depth and potential to become a bit of a classic. Even if Inwire wasn’t your thing, this EP is better. The songs are more focused, heavier, with more hooks. The vocal melodies sometimes veer into an old anthemic metal style, like on “Hurt”. By taking their time, Sven Gali were able to make sure they had four excellent tracks for this release.
Good on Sven Gali for sticking it out, and not resting on their laurels. Any band can get replacement members and reunite. Fewer still put out new music, much less on a physical media. Sven Gali have put together a slammin’ new lineup and a triumphant EP. You just can’t write this band off.
4/5 stars
mikeladano.com 
Holy moly, Sven Gali? Cool. That’s high school to me, man, Under The Influence!
LikeLiked by 1 person
University for me but close enough eh!
LikeLike
Yup, close enough. My first memory of them is hearing that first release at a field party in high school. 1992 would have been grade 12.
LikeLike
Nice to see an older band still putting out quality work. Good on them. Maybe I should give it a try.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Start with the debut — Skid Row would kill to make an album like it today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I only have the debut – but a solid debut!
Encouraging to read, like you said, they don’t rest on their laurels
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a novel approach moving forward on from the second album and not rehashing a sound from the debut which sold more.
Have to hand it to them for that move.
Good stuff Mikey
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not what I expected (Until Sleeze Roxx posted their review). Thinking about it after the fact, I wonder if it’s because of the Varga guys in the band now. They were always on that alternative metal trip with samples and industrial sounds. It’s either the Varga guys influence, or they just hired two guys who were already in the right ballpark.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s interesting Mikey. Good on them though. Kinda interested to hear it now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did you like Varga back in the day? I always thought Freeze Don’t Move was better than Nine Inch Nails.
LikeLike
I had to head to Youtube and track down the song by Varga that I do know and that was Greed
Fuckin killer tune
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah that was a rocker for sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great song..think they did a video for it as well
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe it is in my VHS archives, they also had a live version on Much that is on Youtube.
LikeLiked by 1 person
and I just got Inwire…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice!!
LikeLike
Never heard of em in Australia. Off to Spotify I go.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You will like their first album. Very much in the vein of classic Skid Row. In face Wanless could have been an awesome singer in Skid Row in an alternative universe.
LikeLike
just watched Pacific Rim 1 &2. Liked 2 better. What movies have u guys seen this summer?
LikeLiked by 1 person
KK I’ve been watching nothing but Marvel all summer. That might change this weekend because I’ve rewatched them all except The Incredible Hulk (which isn’t on Netflix or Disney+). I like John Boyega and I hope he was great in PR 2.
LikeLike