THE GEMS – Year Of The Snake – Album Review – napalmrecords

Review By Darren McIntyre

The Gems are a killer 3 – piece rock n roll outfit from Sweden who came to our attention in 2023, the characteristic of the band is the entire female line up which is not common place in the rock metal world. The band take it’s name from the initials of it’s members – G – Guernica , – E – Emlee, – M- Mona who immediately got to work writing and recording and in 2024 brought us their debut album Phoenix. To follow up that awesome release the girls hit the festival circuit and began writing the follow up to their debut and today they deliver the awesome Year Of The Snake which I will be reviewing for you today.

Walls – A cool, pulsing electro beat wanders through the intro as the track opens with a soaring vocal that really tells us the girls are back and firing on all cylinders, the soulful backing vocals are letting the tone wrap itself around us as the girls lead us into the blistering –

Year Of The Snake – A pounding snare / bass kick lets this bruiser kick in the doors and let us feel the energy oozing from this killer 3 – piece as they deliver a rockin beat that just gets the juices flowing. The galloping guitar licks are working seamlessly witha dark, delicious bassline that is hitting us with a cool, funky groove that allows this shredding beast leave us wanting more, the slick, crisp guitar solo is melting our faces from the very first note as Mono brings the heat and then some. The girls are bringing a real fresh, rockin approach to this crisp monster track that is a real nice way to lead us into the awesome.

Gravity – The intro slips in with a cool keys tone as the pounding drums make themselves known as Emlee gives it what for as this punchy monster lets the track unravel. The soaring vocals are just weaving their way through the arrangement as this 80’s style rocker track just builds and builds as the slick, clean guitar licks tell their own story that allows the girls to give it to us straight, the melodic, spandex filled number is coming for us with all it’s might as the girls unleash hell in this kick ass style track that is Van Halen esque with it’s awesome licks that are flowing effortlessly through the track as we feel the energy, swagger and pure nostalgia ease through the whole composition as the thundering drum kicks really grab our attention as the cool backing vocals lean in and let the tone wander through the punchy, meaty, classy tone as the girls leave their mark on this glittering beast that tells us that they are building something special as it will have you reaching for the repeat button for sure.

Diamond In The Rough – A shredding, gritty guitar riff shatters the silence as this foot stomping beauty comes at us with a real fist pumping beat as the thundering rhythm section directs the tone of this beast. The melodic, soaring vocals bring the track to us kicking and screaming as the cool, mellow bassline wanders freely through the track and adds depth to this soaring monster, the galloping guitar licks are letting the tone build as the slick, crisp notes wrap themselves around this foot stomping track that is catchy, heavy and has bags of swagger, attitude as Guernica offloads her colossal vocals that really need no introcuction as the punchy, rasping groove runs freely through the whole arrangement as this album just unravels and brings us a real diamond in the rough( see what I did there).

Live & Let Go – The punchy, meaty rhythm section kicks in as this rasping beast comes for us with all it has as the girls really settle into their stride with this foot stomping arrangement that just grabs our attention. Guernica is a source to be reckoned with as her powering vocals shatter the air with their impressive range, power and direction as this blistering groover gathers pace and flows freely through the whole arrangement as we feel the musicality wrap itself around us. The tempo changes pace several times through the track as the soaring riffs weave their way through this kick ass track that really grabs our attention as the girls shift through the gears and really tell their own story with this slick, kick ass 13 track follow up that just ticks all the boxes.

Clout Chaser – A pounding rhythm section lets this monster loose as the shredding power riffs let the track weave it’s way to us as the soaring vocals grab our attention as this fast, furious rocker soars. The punchy bass kicks are working with the slick, riffs that are hitting us as Mono unleashes her inner rock goddess as this fist pumping bruiser builds and builds as the girls take control and let this rocker flow, the awesome solo is just melting our faces as Mono lets the riffs come at us as the snare kicks work well with the puncht groove that is kickin our ass right now as we let the groove wrap itself around us as we let the girls tell their own story with this fantastic fast paced bruiser that just prods us till we submit.

Hot Bait – There is a ZZ Top kinda intro to this galloping monster as the rhythm section leans in and kicks in the doors with it’s meaty groove that allows the track to breath. The soaring vocals are reminding us why we like this outfit so much as I have been a fan of Guernica for a long time as her gritty, roaring vocals just bring depth to any arrangement as her tone fits right into this rockin groover, the slick, rasping guitar licks are just oozing with depth and swagger as Mono offloads with ease as this fist pumping rock n roller builds and builds as we feel the energy oozing from every musician as they deliver a rousing beat that just leaves us wanting more.

Forgive & Forget – We stumble into a rockin ballad that lets Guernica bring her soaring, power laden vocals to a sweet, mellow track that just erupts into a full on power ballad that lets Emlee bring her incredible talents to this awesome song as the girls just show us a softer, more vulnerable side that fits the dynamic of this killer outfit. The classy groove is just incredible as we let these girls show us just what they are made of as this sizzling track brings us a power laden solo that stops us in our tracks for sure, the thundering rhythm section is delivering a deep, pounding beat that works perfectly with this arrangement as we feel the emotion oozing from the lyrics as the girls let their vulnerable side shine through.

Go Along To Get Along – A thundering rhythm section kicks in the doors as this rasping monster is unleashed as the girls keep the momentum going with this fist pumping rock n roller that puts a smile on your face almost instantly. The shredding guitar riffs are working seamlessly with this kick ass groove as it builds and builds as Guernica unleashes her incredible vocals that elevate this rousing, raspy arrangement that is just pure rock n roll as the foot stomping groove wraps itself around us and won’t let us go no matter what we do, the whole album is a fast, furious rock n roll ride that just wants you to stay on and feel the energy wrapping itself around us as the whole album is a real shot in the arm that will have us reaching for the repeat button for sure.

Math Ain’t Mathing – This is a real sludgy, gritty rock n roll track that has that killer 80’s feel as it wraps itself around the soaring, punchy beats that really let the track build as the groove grabs us. The rhythm section is bossing the direction of the track as Emlee really brings depth an swagger to this soaring beast as Mono leans in and offloads with a crisp, clean riffage that just allows the track to breath, the colossal, smouldering vocals add a touch of attitude that just pops as this crunching monster delivers a no nonsense, fist pumping groove that has us throwing our hands in the air as the girls really attack the musicality in this roaring arrangement that tells us that these girls are just getting started on their journey and boy this is the perfect launch pad to get them out there.

Firebird – A foot stomping, bass kickin beat that lets this monster cut loose as the groove comes for us as Guernica brings her smouldering, melodic vocals to the party as this beast breaks free. The crunching guitar licks are weaving their way through this kick ass track as the thundering rhythm section brings a solid snare / bass beat that works so well with the roaring groove that is being laid before us, the girls are just peeling back the layers as they bring us a real rockin 13 track colossus of an album that has depth, swagger, attitude that is just cementing them as a force to be reckoned with. The gritty riffs coupled with a pounding groove are just what the doctor ordered as Guernica unleashes her killer tones that just rumble through the arrangement and let it soar.

Stars – The opening vocals set the scene as the pounding bass / snare kicks really let the track build as this melodic groover breaks free and lets us feel the authentic tones roll through this foot stomping beat. The sizzling guitar work is letting Mono express herself as she sizzles with electrifying fingerwork that allows this corker to weave it’s way through the whole piece, the sassy, riff laden solo is just electric as we feel the energy oozing from the girls as they deliver a bruiser that really showcases the incredible bond that these girls have and boy does it show. This is a cool track that really brings the girls into focus as the short, sharp licks combined with a pounding rhythm section really let the girls tell their own story.

Buckle Up – Guernica leans in and lets her towering vocals lead the charge in this rousing monster as we stamp our feet to the killer groove that is grabbing a hold of us as this cranking beast hits us. The dark, brooding bassline drops in with a real funky, delicious groove that works so well with the slick, crisp guitar licks that let this track build, the snare punches are just grabbing our attention as Emlee goes about her business and just gives us a real solid well made track that showcases these girls and what they are all about. The shredding guitar riffs are weaving their way through the track and letting the musicality tell it’s own story as the feisty lick, towering vocals and a thundering rhythm section make this a complete story.

Happy Water – Finishing off with a real barn storming bruiser that is the perfect way to bring down the curtain on a blistering follow up album that is sure to put a smile on a lot of faces when it drops in 10 days. The soaring, gritty, roaring vocals are just letting the track unfold as the thundering snare punches let the groove wander freely through the arrangement, a killer, slick solo offloads as Mono really gives it what for as we let the music wrap itself around us. The funky. dark, brooding bassline comes through and really lets the groove work as we throw our fists in the air as this fast, furious rock n roller kicks in the doors and really delivers a kick ass finish to a solid slab of rock and roll that will have us reaching for the repeat button as these girls have hit the nail on the head with this blistering riff – tastic, vocal charge beast that is finished by a real solid rhythm section that leaves no stone unturned.

The Gems –

Guernica Mancini – Vocals

Mona ‘ Demona’ Lindgren – Guitar / Bass

Emlee Johansson – Drums

Track Listing –

Walls

Year Of The Snake

Gravity

Diamond In The Rough

Live & Let Go

Clout Chaser

Hot Bait