HITTEN
HITTEN "While Passion Lasts"
By Theron Moore
HITTEN's new record, “While Passion Lasts”, is set for release November 24 via High Roller Records, their fifth studio album to date. If you're into 80's metal like I am, then by all rights you should love what HITTEN is doing. “While Passion Lasts” is spot on 80's commercial metal to the point that it's virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. If you didn't know HITTEN was a modern rock band you'd swear they were from 1987. Even their band photo looks like it’s circa mid to late 80’s.
You could throw “While Passion Lasts” on the turntable and play it alongside HURRICANE, ROXX GANG, PRETTY BOY FLOYD and this record would fit right in and you'd never know it was made in 2023. Tracks like "While Passion Lasts" and "Mr. Know It All" are so era correct and contain so many minute nuances a lot of 80’s rock songs had, it makes me wonder if this record was the creation of humans or AI. The track “Unholy Games” literally sounds like it should’ve been written for and performed by GREAT WHITE back in the day. If only HITTEN could go back in time and make some publishing money – where’s Doc and Marty when you really need them?
So, everything I’ve said up to this point is why I don’t like this record. I like HITTEN, especially their earlier work like “State Of Shock” or “First Strike With The Devil” but this path they started with “Triumph And Tragedy” leading to “While Passion Lasts” transcends being a retro “clone” band into almost impostor-ish territory. I dig groups that pay homage to their musical roots and incorporate those elements into their music but this record takes it a bit too far for my taste.
My issue with HITTEN’s creative direction is this: There’s a fine line between throwing a “wink and a nod” towards something or going too far in the opposite direction which is what I feel like HITTEN has done here.. I’m not saying their music’s bad, it’s good for what it is, but if I want to listen to 80’s commercial metal I’ll jam some FASTER PUSSYCAT, KEEL, or BLACK N’ BLUE and not “While Passion Lasts”. Gimme the real stuff any day. On the other hand, if I want to listen to some good traditional metal with some 80’s influence to it I’ll give a listen to HITTEN’s early catalog.
Don’t take my word for it though, go to YouTube and check out videos for “Blood From A Stone,” “While Passion Lasts,” and “Mr. Know It All” and decide for yourself based on the review I wrote. For me personally, it’s a HITTEN miss, I can’t recommend “While Passion Lasts”.