Animalyze – Powerhouse (Steelheart Records, 2025 Review)

🎸 Band: Animalyze
💿 Album: Powerhouse
🏷 Label: Steelheart Records
📅 Release Year: 2025
🕰 Content: Animalyze’s first full-length album—straight outta Denmark and ready to tear down the walls with a wild mix of sleazy hard rock, melodic metal, and modern-day Sunset Strip attitude!

💥 A New Wave from Denmark

Some "weird" people still like to say Rock & Roll is dead.
But both me and Animalyze are here to prove them DEAD wrong. 😎

Hailing from Denmark, Animalyze is a Glam/Melodic Hard Rock band made up of frontman Vikki Mahrt, guitar-slinger Clay Ronson, bassist Mike Lauren, and drummer Chris Clark. The story began back in 2017 when Clay and Chris bonded over their shared love for the raw, high-energy spirit of the '80s glam scene—and that vision only came to full power in 2022 when Vikki and Mike completed the lineup.

In 2024, things went from great to legendary when none other than Ken Anthony—a name that needs no introduction in the Danish rock scene (Metallica, Pretty Maids, King Diamond, and more)—joined on as manager. Ken helped kickstart the Glam/Hard Rock scene in the 80's and beyond. With Ken’s experience and drive, Animalyze landed a record deal with Steelheart Records out of Milano, Italy. The result?

A full-on sonic assault delivered in the form of their debut album: Powerhouse, released June 9th, 2025.
The new wave of Glam/Hard Rock is here—and thank f***ing hell for that! 🤘🔥

🎧 Track Highlights / Full Review

The album kicks off with a literal explosion.
Powerhouse (the opening track) begins with air raid sirens and distant booms before Chris Clark's drums thunder in like a tank rolling through your speakers. Once Clay Ronson’s riff hits, it’s all over—you’re strapped in and taken for a ride whether you like it or not. But trust me, you will like it. And when Vikki Mahrt comes soaring in on vocals, you’ll swear it’s 1988 all over again.

The track delivers not just one, but two face-melting guitar solos that absolutely seduce your ears. It’s heavy, melodic, and sleazy in just the right way. You might think, “There’s no way they can top this.”

Wrong.

Next up is Hunter of the Night—and yes, it's just as lethal. A riff that screams late-'80s Sunset Strip swagger, paired with a sing-along chorus and another tasty solo that leaves you grinning like a maniac. It’s pure ear candy.

Beauty Is a Killer continues the assault, pulling in some serious AOR/Arena Rock vibes. It’s got that mid-tempo swagger, a killer hook, and a melodic guitar solo that feels like it’s singing back to you. Bonus points for the breakdown at the two-minute mark—just vocals and drums. You can already picture a whole crowd chanting along. That’s what this band does: they write for the stage, for the show, for the experience.

Tracks like Trigger for Love, Hot But Dangerous (holy crap, that guitar solo!), and Wild for Free keep the good times rolling. Speaking of Wild for Free—this is a standout track. It channels the spirit of Def Leppard with huge choruses, glossy guitars, and party-ready vibes. I swear you’ll be throwing your fist in the air by the first chorus.

The album never loses steam.

X-Medication and Pleasure & Pain bring even more heat. On Pleasure & Pain you can really hear the KISS influence—especially their track Exciter. It’s got that snappy rhythm and sleazy energy that makes you want to drive fast or smash something (in the best way possible).

Now… we hit the one track that’s just a little less killer: Dr. Chemical. Not bad, by any means, but it doesn’t quite hit the same highs as the others. Still, the guitar work keeps it afloat with a solo that shreds its way through any doubts.

And then—boom.
Final track: Kings of the Night. And what a closer this is.

Soaring vocals, a chorus made to echo through a stadium, and a guitar solo that’s quite possibly the best on the entire album. You can feel the band going full throttle here. If you weren’t convinced yet that Animalyze is the real deal, this track will hammer it home. Pure Hard Rock perfection.

🎤 Final Thoughts

Animalyze aren’t just good for a new band—they’re damn good, full stop.

From the riffs, to the solos, to the sing-along choruses and the undeniable energy they pour into every track, this album is everything I could want from modern glam/hard rock. If you're like me—someone who lives and breathes this scene—you’re going to be playing Powerhouse on repeat.

The production is tight, the vocals are huge, the solos are stunning, and the passion is undeniable.

If this is what the new wave of Glam/Hard Rock looks like?
Then the future is bright... and dangerously loud.

🔥 Must-hear tracks: Kings of the Night, Wild for Free, Powerhouse, Beauty Is a Killer
🎯 Final Score: A strong 9/10

🔥 Where to Buy / Follow the Band

Want to grab a copy and crank this melodic gem loud and proud? You can order the album here:

🎯 Buy the CD:
• Animalyze – Powerhouse via Eonian Records (Official Store)
• Animalyze – Powerhouse via Pride & Joy Music (Germany)

📀 Animalyze on Discogs:
https://www.discogs.com/artist/16339036-Animalyze

📱 Animalyze on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/officialanimalyze

🤘 Follow Me (Robin) for More Rock & Roll!

I'm always talking music, collecting CDs, vinyl, and cassettes, and sharing hidden gems. Join me on my musical journey here:

🎥 My YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@RobinHardRockAndMetal

📢 My Facebook Group – Join the Community!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/558260049528181

👤 My Personal Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/robin.johansson.37819

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