ANIMALHOUSE Living in Black and White CD

Hailing from Northern Italy, Animal House delivers a high-octane tribute to the spirit of rock and roll with their debut album, Living in Black and White. Released in 2021 via Punishment 18 Records, this record marks the band's transition from a hard-working cover band—honed over nearly a decade of playing biker rallies and festivals—into a creative force of their own. The music is a bombastic blend of Traditional Heavy Metal and Hard Rock, characterized by a booze-fueled energy that reflects their self-described status as an all(coholic)-star band. The album is built on a foundation of twin-guitar harmonies, blistering solos, and anthemic choruses that recall the golden era of 80s metal. While the production is modern and powerful, the songwriting remains rooted in the raw, irreverent style of bands like Motorhead, Metallica, and early Bloodbound. A notable aspect of the record is the presence of high-profile guests from the Italian power metal scene, including Michele Guaitoli (Visions of Atlantis, Temperance) and Roberto De Micheli (Rhapsody of Fire), who add a layer of melodic sophistication to the band's gritty, biker-rock aesthetic. From the driving opening single Need To Be Me to the biker anthem Bintars, the album maintains a fuckin' loud philosophy that has made them a cult favorite in the Italian and Slovenian underground. For fans of straightforward, guitar-driven heavy metal that prioritizes hooks and energy over complexity, Living in Black and White is a solid and uncompromising debut.