Uncompromisingly walking their own path – review of Serpico’s “Dressed in Flesh”

The Finnish hard rock band Serpico unveiled their latest album, “Dressed in Flesh,” last autumn. Much like on their previous album, the record was crafted at Astia-studio under the guidance of the legendary Anssi Kippo and recorded entirely using analog equipment. Having signed with Golden Robot Records, the band continues to pursue its own vision with determination, and proving that rock n’ roll lives on.

Ahead of the album’s release, Serpico offered some very promising previews in the form of the singles “Hard as a Cannonball,” “Rock n’ Roll Is Not Dead,” and “Sweet Rebel Darling.” These were far from being the only highlights on the record, though, as every track could easily stand on its own as a single. That alone says a great deal about how tightly the album has been put together this time around.

Vocalist Vee Dour’s voice is distinctive and instantly recognizable, with backing vocals adding an extra layer to several songs. The effect is especially striking on “Lightning Strike,” where the backing vocals give even more punch to an already tight and hard-hitting track.

I personally visited Astia-studio to interview the band and Anssi Kippo in the autumn of 2024, when the recording of the album’s final tracks was still underway. For that reason, the closing song “Mayday” feels particularly close to me and still brings back vivid memories of that visit. The track reveals a more sensitive side of Serpico, and it left me wondering how the band might fare in an even more emotionally charged ballad. Perhaps we’ll hear something like that on the next album!

In my view, Serpico has taken a significant step forward from their previous album, “The Chosen Four.” Along the way, the band has honed their signature sound even further, tightening it by a couple of notches. The new album has deservedly attracted attention in international music media as well—for example, the single “Rock n’ Roll Is Not Dead” was selected among Metal Hammer’s releases of the week. Hopefully, with their new record label, the band will be able to push even further through international doors. If you’re looking for honest, Finnish hard rock, “Dressed in Flesh” is definitely worth a listen.