New Swedish rock trio THE GEMS - featuring ex-Thundermother members vocalist Guernica Mancini, drummer Emlee Johansson and guitarist/bassist Mona “Demona” Lindgren - rise from the ashes with their debut album, Phoenix, was released on January 26, 2024 via Napalm Records! THE GEMS’ extraordinary potential was proven after the unveiling of their very first standalone single, “Like A Phoenix”, in summer 2023. The single immediately landed at No. 2 on the German Rock Radio Airplay Charts and turned the heads of avid rock fans around the world.
Captivating, chanting intro track “Aurora” allows vocalist Guernica Mancini's distinctive, strong and bluesy vocals shine, and sets the scene before the catchy rock’n’roll anthem “Queens”, a celebration of feminine power. Standing up for oneself, fighting back and rising above are some of the main lyrical themes of Phoenix, which “Send Me To The Wolves” is an outstanding example of. The song’s storyline champions overcoming and not giving in to oppressors. Songs like “Domino” and “Kiss It Goodbye” take THE GEMS’ grooviness to the level of legendary classic rock bands, while high-energy songs such as “P.S.Y.C.H.O.”, “Silver Tongue” and “Force Of Nature” add a playful, feel-good touch to the album. With emotional tracks like “Undiscovered Paths” and “Fruits Of My Labor”, THE GEMS bring significant depth and variety to the album, distancing themselves from their history. Stunning interlude “Maria's Song”, featuring violinist Maria Jern, fades into the touching ballad “Ease Your Pain” - giving extra space to the exceptional guitar work of Mona “Demona” Lindgren. Following track “Running” shines as a surefire future hit with Emlee Johansson’s groovy, hard hitting drums. The album ends with the beautifully stripped down acoustic version of “Like A Phoenix” - backed with acoustic guitar by producer Johan Randén. Phoenix was mastered by Plec Johansson (Soilwork, Hank von Hell, Firewind) and its artwork was created by ex-Thundermother member Giorgia Carteri (Soilwork, The Night Flight Orchestra). It is clear that the seasoned musicians of THE GEMS won’t settle in the shadows of their prior successes. This debut album delivers everything rock enthusiasts crave while also inviting newcomers into the genre, with the band’s fresh approach to classic rock. Make no mistake - with Phoenix, THE GEMS will conquer the international rock scene in a heartbeat.
So far the promo talk. To be honest I was a huge fan of the last Thundermother album (Black and Gold). It took me a while before I started liking version 2.0 and the offspring (The Gems). As you know by now this album is almost one year old, thus that says enough about the time needed …
Sadly it’s only a streamer, otherwise I could have listened more to the album (in stead of just behind my PC). But hey that’s the way Napalm Records decided to do it (already for a while).
Enough said and mourned, let’s focus now on the actual album!
Aurora – Interlude is actually a nice track. Those who know me for years will tell you I hate intro’s, outro’s and interlude, well this one is a nice one! For the first time the interlude is not a skipper! Congratz on that! It’s a bit of storytelling and on top a real (but short song).
Queens could be the description of our 3 ladies who keep us rocking! The sound is a bit old school and changes a bit halfway. The chorus is nice. I’m sure this was a hit on stage!
Send Me To The Wolves starts with what I call a clap with your hands opening and goes over into a fat rocking song. It’s clear that forming this band needed balls and was a hard decision (at least If I can believe the lyrics).
Domino is not the English version of the Flemish hit from Clouseau but a song of their own with a bluesy touch (genre ZZ Top). Once again the chorus is very catchy.
Silver Tongue has sharp lyrics and vocals that sound a bit different from the previous songs. The music style grabs back to old school rock, nicely fired up by the guitar play and the different vocals.
Undiscovered Paths starts a capella, followed by the drums and the guitars. The song sounds a bit different from the previous songs (for sure at the start). Once halfway I start to feel the heat (like finally).
Maria's Song – Interlude is for once indeed a skipper, despite the beautiful violin. The sound is nice, but hey: I want vocals!
Ease Your Pain is a very emotional song with a slow tempo whilst the backings sound really angelic. In the end I could call it a slow.
Running is a hot rocker with great lead vocals and superb guitar play.
Renaissance – Interlude sounds great from the start: expecting a great song and the it suddenly ends. Dang: it’s just an interlude!
Like A Phoenix is the best known single from the whole album and tells the real story of this trio: it’s their way of looking back at their departure from Thundermother (according to me).Well it’s a nice rocker with a good sound, the perfect tempo and a good story.
P.S.Y.C.H.O. is a great rocker with cool backings and perfect to get it out on stage and have the crowd scream along the chorus. The guitar play gets a bit of a “put the spot on me” time.
Kiss it Goodbye is a sweet old rocker with a nice global sound.
Force Of Nature is a strong song that demands to be taken out on stage: let it grow and let it win hearts!
Fruits Of My Labor is a nice soft-rocker with a nice global sound and a slice of Thundermother.
Like A Phoenix (Acoustic Version) shows that this song is even stripped a very strong one (just like the vocals).
Well: if you take out 3 original members out who where part of the best album ever produced by Thundermother you get The Gems. Sadly if you do the maths: you also get lesser. The album is nice but still far away from Black And Gold! It’s also far away from The Crucified Barbara level. I know now why I waited so long to review it. Do I regret it? Not really, but I’m also not sad it’s just a streamer as I’m not sure if I would add it to my personal playlist. He future will tell how far they will get!
THE GEMS are:
Guernica Mancini - Vocals
Mona "Demona" Lindgren - Guitar, Bass
Emlee Johansson - Drums
THE GEMS online:
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
TIKTOK
NAPALM RECORDS
