Airbourne is out of Australia and let me tell you they will rock the hell out of you.  ‘Breakin’ Outta Hell’ is the band’s fourth studio album and they are really going all out on this release.  If you are in to the 80’s rock sound and love AC/DC and Quiet Riot, you have found the band to carry that torch.  The songs are heavily influenced by those bands both in vocals and sound.  The album came out on Spinefarm Records back on September 23rd, 2016.

The album comes out of the gate swinging and does not stop until the last note is played. It never slows down and there are no power ballads, it is just loud, head banging rock & roll…like it should be.

There are basically 5 types of songs on this album.  Songs referencing Hell, songs about Rock, songs about Fighting, songs about Drinking and songs about Sex.  No surprise because what else is there to sing about?

The two songs referencing ‘Hell’ are the opening & title track “Breakin’ Outta Hell” and “I’m Going to Hell For This”.  “Breakin’ Outta Hell” is one of the heaviest sounding songs to come out this year and just screams with loud guitars and drums and that rough, raspy voice of Joel O’Keefe.  It really brings the essence of the whole album into one song and just a mind blowing way to start the album.  The other song referencing Hell is “I’m Going To Hell For This” could also be one of the sex songs, but a little less obvious than those songs.  Another great song, but not quite as good as the opening track.

There a several songs about Rock & Roll and my favorite of the bunch is “Never Too Loud For Me”.  Of course, I am going to love a song with that title, just look at my website name. “Never Been Rocked Like This” is another pounding song with a great guitar solo and full on 80’s style. This band would have been huge back in the day.  “It’s All For Rock & Roll” seems like an attempt to write their great rock anthem, but to me is more filler.  It doesn’t have the punch and feelings of the other so won’t stay long in my library, but it does have a nice guitar solo.

The Fight songs are hard hitting and one of them is the best song on the album.  That song is “Rivalry”.  It starts off with a pounding drum, a chanting crowd and then kicks into a really cool guitar riff.  At times Joel’s voice sounds like Kevin Dubrow.  One of the best rock songs of the year.  The other fight song is “Get Back Up” about getting back up after you keep getting knocked down.

“Thin the Blood” and “When I Drink I Go Crazy” are the two great songs about Drinking. “Thin the Blood” sounds like it was pulled straight off an AC/DC album and makes you want to hit the bar and start downing one shot after another.  And when you do, I am sure you will go crazy which is the whole premise behind “When I Drink I Go Crazy”.  It is such a fun and loud song plus who hasn’t been in that situation.

The songs about sex are “Down On You” and “Do Me Like You Do Yourself”.  If you are looking for subtle sexual innuendos, you have come to the wrong band. There is nothing subtle unless you think a line like “Have you ever kissed a girl between the knees” is subtle.  Just look at the title of the songs and it says enough.  “Down On You” is vulgar and disgusting and absolutely wonderful at the same time.  It is an orgasm for your ears…okay that is a stretch, but it is one of the many great songs on this album.  “Do Me Like You Do Yourself”, however, doesn’t work for me. It feels more like filler and doesn’t have the same punch as “Down On You”.

Band Members:

• Joel O’Keeffe – Lead vocals, lead guitar
• Ryan O’Keeffe – Drums, percussion
• David Roads – Rhythm guitar, backup vocals
• Justin Street – Bass guitar, backup vocals

Track Listing:

1. “Breakin’ Outta Hell” – Keeper
2. “Rivalry” – Keeper
3. “Get Back Up” – Keeper
4. “Never Too Loud For Me” – Keeper
5. “Thin the Blood” – Keeper
6. “I’m Going to Hell for This” – Keeper
7. “Down On You” – Keeper
8. “Never Been Rocked Like This” – Keeper
9. “When I Drink I Go Crazy” – Keeper
10. “Do Me Like You Do Yourself” – Delete
11. “It’s All For Rock & Roll” – Delete

9 keepers out 11 songs – 82% (4.1 out 5 stars).  Airbourne really put together a strong rock album.  Possibly my favorite by the band.  The vocals of Joel O’Keefe and his guitar work were incredible as was Ryan O’Keefe’s drum work.  I don’t want to forget David Roads’ guitar or Justin Street’s bass…all exceptional.  This has been one of the more exciting rock bands to come out lately and I just dig the whole throwback rock style.  It is so nice of have guitar rock again.  Not enough bands out there that do guitar solos anymore.  Give this band a listen.