HANSEN ’Born With A Hammer’

HANSEN
Born With A Hammer
earMusic
www.facebook.com/kaihansenofficial

‘Born With A Hammer’ is the first proper solo album by HELLOWEEN guitarist Kai Hansen.  While he did wade in the solo pool with HANSEN & FRIENDS - 'XXX - Three Decades In Metal' (2016), that album was more of a group project celebrating his music of the last three decades.  

If you have followed Hansen’s career and observed his persona, then you know he can be a little bit wacky and eccentric.  The same can be said for his latest solo release.  If you’ve come expecting a mish mash of HELLOWEEN and GAMMA RAY, boy are you going to be surprised.  

“Feeeding the Beast” starts off with somber guitar appreggios.  Hansen laments softly, pondering the meaning of life.  About 90 seconds in the guitar riffage and double-kick drums hit you full force.  Yes, this one could be an unused track from one of his other bands.

”Welcome To Life” is a tempo shifting rocker about not having a care in the world and embracing all the great things that have come your way.  “I Don’t Care At All” is where the album starts to get interesting.  This track is loaded with electronic drums and effects.  The music’s nod to EDM (or Techno) makes it danceable.  Hansen’s lyric delivery is reminiscent of the cadence in an old Irish drinking song.

“Wait and See” draws heavy influence from Industrial Metal acts such as ORGY and STABBING WESTWARD. The track is dark and dystopic.  Hansen’s vocals are a bit maniacal.  The album’s title track “Born With A Hammer” has QUEEN written all over it.  I don’t think Hasen is even trying to hide it with the piano sections, emotional lyrics, and over-the-top vocal melodies.  That guitar solo? A clear homage to Brian May and his signature tone.  

Two songs about not caring, or giving a fuck if you will, is a bit too much.  That doesn’t stop Kai Hansen though.  I don’t know who pissed this eccentric German off enough for him to pen “I.D.G.A.F”, but whatever they did,  warranted the raunchy chorus phrase, ‘I don’t give a fuck, you can suck my c**k’.

I don’t think I’ve ever commented on keyboard tone, but the one Hansen has on “End Of The Road” is probably one of the coolest I’ve heard.  It accents the heavy guitars and toe-tapping drum beats perfectly.  Is there such a genre as Synth Metal?  

“Triple Trouble” has a Punk Rock feel to it with its driving guitars and cocksure attitude.  I have never heard of the term, but I can only assume it's one worse than double trouble.  Kai goes on a fretboard tear during his solos.  

“Invaders” must be an unused GAMMAY RAY song with its sci-fi theme, classic riffage, high pitched wails.  “Wonderland” also plays into Kai Hansen’s Power Metal legacy, leaning more towards HELLOWEEN.      

Every musician gets to a point where they want to branch out and do something a little different.  After 40+ years of Power Metal, I would say that Kai Hansen has earned that right.  Hansen tackles Punk, Industrial, EDM, New Wave, AOR, Pop, Heavy Metal, and even some Celtic Folk on ‘Born With A Hammer’. 

I have to respect Kai Hasen for making a quirky album with no limitations on where the music can go.  At first it seems a bit out of left field, but after repeated listens, you get hooked.  

4.2 Out Of 5.0