Those Finnish Dark Rock Vampire Sleaze Glam Metallers 69 Eyes have chosen to inflict their tenth gothic Metal-ish studio album on their predominantly female, predominantly young, predominantly gothic audience – considering which who can blame them? This is a band so cool they come from Helsinki, so cool they have their own brand of wine, (called, simply, ‘Red’), so cool they re-created ‘The Lost Boys’ for a promotional video, so cool their wardrobe features leathers with skeleton motifs and obligatory dark glasses, so cool that their hair remains uniformly jet black and spiky. In summary; 69 Eyes are cool.

The cynic might ask how this translates into AWESOME METAL POWER. That ‘cool’ stuff is skin deep, right? 69 Eyes started as Glam-sters in the Motley Crue missing era that spawned The Backyard Babies and The Hellacopters. Like autumnal mists in a cemetery, those influences still linger. Reviewers frequently name drop The Cult, The Sisters of Mercy, while Type O Negative and Billy Idol have clearly left their mark on lead vocalist Jyrki69.

However, on ‘X’ the closest influence is fellowHelsinkiresident Ville Valo. Although 69 Eyes are marginally more muscular musically than HIM, perhaps influenced by Valo’s own huge horde of predominantly female, predominantly young, predominantly gothic fans their sound is gothic Metal re-packaged for the misty-eyed, kohl streaked teenage female market. Sense? Absolutely.

Given the apparent wimpiness of the material, ‘X’ is actually pretty good.  Although 69 Eyes lack CRUSHING METAL POWER they are great song-writers. Each song is replete with well worked choruses, lyrics crafted to appeal to the discerning goth and guitar lines laden with beauty and sorrow. They even have a go at variety. The album is by no means one dimensional and there are some surprises.

The first song, ‘Love Runs Away’ starts with a heavy-ish riff, reminiscent on W.A.S.P. From there it switches into a fist (albeit attached to an anorexic female wrist) pumping or more likely flapping chorus, returning to a semblance of W.A.S.P but with wimped up with keyboards at the end. ‘Tonight’ then takes the listener into HIM territory, where ‘The Danger lives in you…. TONIGHT!’ for another catchy chorus.

‘Black’ switches from HIM formulaic opening riff one, to HIM formulaic opening riff two – but then 69 Eyes redeem themselves with a superb guitar line and fabulous chorus. None of it is even slightly original. The chorus line even goes ‘I want you BACK IN BLACK’… before clarifying that the teenage female goth listener should be dressed thus. Nevertheless it is superbly written and executed.

‘If You Love Me The Morning After’ starts like Type O Negative, before wimping out in appropriate fashion. The chorus, again, is spectacular, Jyrki69 channelling an improved Pete Steele. The next track ‘Red’ (which the wine is named after), is disappointingly lacking in blood – missed opportunity there boys. Worse, it sounds like Evanesence.

‘I Love The Darkness In You’ is the most up-tempo and best track on the album. So The Cult that it could be mistaken it for Ian Astbury and co in their pomp, it showcases everything that 69 Eyes do well. With its ‘pale moonlight, cemetery eye’s’ lyrics it will be an essential anthem in those secret hidden definitely not imaginary halls where vast hordes of lithe doe-eyed gothic princesses congregate.

On the last four tracks 69 Eyes throw in some much-needed variety. ‘Borderline’ sounds like a Johnny Cash number and might be a cover of some description (the band’s information sheet was pretty sparse). ‘I’m Ready’ switches to Rock N’Roll, reminiscent of The Hellacopters with a 69 Eyes make-over. It shows that the band can still ROCK OUT in approved Scandinavian fashion. Smooth. And cool.

‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ comes on like Monster Magnet before switching to Type O Negative ‘…before October’s …. rust …. turns to dust…’ sounding like Lacrimas Profundere with added imagination. The final track ‘When A Love Comes To An End’ is slow and mellow, with a suitably warm vocal. It is a paean to teenage heartbreak that will lead to the smearing of eyeliner on a global basis.

‘X’ should probably be considered an album for the ladies. That by no means makes it bad. 69 Eyes are terrific songwriters, able musicians and there is plenty on here for those who like their rock gothic, thoughtful and with plenty of heart.

It might not appeal so much to guys, but would 69 Eyes care? Probably not considering the fans they attract. This is band that probably does sleep all day, party all night and never grows old, because it CAN be fun to be a vampire – if you do it right.

(8/10. For the girls maybe – but sometimes even THEY have taste. Graham Cushway)