Year: 2021
Total Time: 51:41
Label: Sleazy Rider Records

VERSUS feat. ANGELO PERLEPES, is a project that started back in 2009. Two experienced musicians of the Greek metal scene, Angelo Perlepes and Chris Kalimoukos, got together and with the addition of Stamatis Mantikas, Jimmy Sera and Angelo Rigopoulos created a band that declared as a goal to sound like the bands from back in the 70’s. As they explain themselves: “Versus is not a tribute band or a “wanna be” band, but is more of a project that wants to explore a different expression than today’s playing style”.

More than a decade later, the band was signed by Sleazy Rider Records and the album “Confession” was released in 2021. The label announces “…We signed also a deal with VERSUS, the band which was formed by virtuoso guitarist Angelo Perlepes in the late 70s”. So, was VERSUS Perlepes’ first band even before MYSTERY? That’s a question I couldn’t find the answer to… But what is seems to be clear from the band’s statements is that the songs where composed during the period between 1979-1983. Although it’s not just the songs, the production also seeks to find that late 70’s sound. According to the band: “The composition approach, as well as arrangement and performance, give you the impression of a band taken from the ’00s back to the 70’s”.

Before even listening to the album, I was impressed. I mean the standards these guys were setting up were reeeeally high. Turning their backs on modern production, searching a sound that was defined by analog (rare, expensive, fragile, untrustworthy but for many people magical) studio equipment. Trying to make music that inevitably would be compared with the megalithic hard rock monuments of the 70’s! What can I say… let’s give them a (digital) spin?

Nine tracks, seven never before recorded composed between 1979 and 1983, a cover (or should I better say a rendition) of Bach’s “Erbarme Dich, Mein Gott” (Have mercy on me, my God) and a live version of the song “Mystery” which was first appeared in the album Mystery (1991), reach a total runtime length of almost 52 minutes.

But as the old proverb goes “a man is judged by his deeds, not by his words”. The album’s first listen was a difficult one for me. The production seemed “strange” to my ears, it seemed to be unbalanced. The sound of the snare was annoying me from start to finish and the cowbell (yes, there’s a cowbell) was too loud while the toms were too low in the mix as was the kick. In general, I didn’t like at all the sound of the drums. But I thought that I should dive back to some 70’s classics to listen again to the specific color of that era and then get back to “Confession”.

So, I went for Deep Purple’s “Stormbringer” (1974), Thin Lizzy’s “Nightlife” (1974), Rainbow’s “Rainbow” (1975) (searching for that cowbell) and Uriah Heep’s “Firefly” (1977). Then back to VERSUS’ “Confession”. A few spins later, I can say for sure that Ι understand the band’s vision and yes it’s an album that tries to rival the 70’s in terms of production. But it’s not there. With the biggest problem in my oppinion being the sound of the drums.

In terms of song writing, I’d say that it’s an ok album. There are songs that stand out such as “Feelong Down (No More)” and “Burning Eyes” but there are also others that I can understand why they were “kept in the drawer” for so many years. Was the Bach rendition necessary? I really don’t know. From the perspective of the artist, I understand why someone would like to interpretate a timeless classic. From the perspective of the listener though, I couldn’t relate with the band’s vision. The performance was unvaried and except of a dialog between the guitar and the keys nothing else was happening. The studio-live track “Mystery” was a nice touch, showing that the band can really deliver in a live situation with rocking power and attitude.

Closing this review, I’d like to say that I understand the difficulty and of course the courage it takes to take the risk to record an album like that. I respect VERSUS for making it happen with “Confession”. But time has kept alive the ‘70s through “a handful” of albums because in my oppinion they combined three elements: a) the knowhow of excellent sound engineers and producers who had a vision leading to the future (and not the past) of the “rock sound” b) songwriting of outstanding quality c) musicians with extraordinary performing abilities.  VERSUS seem like David standing before Goliath and I’m afraid that this time the slingshot didn’t find its target…

Rating: 6/10
Editor: Yiannis Tziallas
Related Link: VERSUS feat.ANGELO PERLEPES – Official Page