Viszlát nyár / AWS / Hungary | Review

AWS: Will Eurovision voters embrace Hungary's metal?

Rock and its many sub genres have never been among the most successful styles of music to grace the Eurovision stage. Quite possibly, the competition's archetypal (and most popular) example is Finland's 2006 winner Lordi - but that act probably won more for the accompanying visuals than for the song itself. Consequently, metalcore band AWS is going to have its work cut out when it takes to the stage for Hungary with its powerful, out of control anthem, Viszlát nyár (Goodbye Summer).

AWS certainly seem to fit the 'angry young man' attitude that defines their modus operandi. Many of their previous videos have used familiar faces interposed with images of violence in order to highlight global problems. The lyrics to Viszlát nyár do not seem to follow this trend, however - apparently relating the woes of a broken heart rather than a broken world, only in an aggressively defiant way. No sugar-coated romance ballad here.

It's satisfying, then, that The Eurovision Song Contest can be open to all kinds of musical expression. Unfortunately, the majority of the audience is not so embracing, particularly when it comes to the less commercial, less melodic forms of rock music. One previous example is Max Jason Mai who represented Slovakia in 2012. Don't Close Your Eyes finished last in its semi-final mainly because most of the voting audience closed their ears.

Personally, this type of music is not my thing either. Then again, I also don’t enjoy many of the boring middle of the road songs that are dished up year on year. Not every entry is ever going to be to my taste, much as those I like will be despised by others.

The problem here is that while AWS will get attention for being musically spectacular, the votes for them will generally come from people professing a sense of musical solidarity. For better or worse, the bulk of voters are likely to ignore them and ultimately Goodbye Summer will turn into Goodbye Eurovision.

Image by MrSilesian (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Hungary 

Artist: AWS

Song: Viszlát nyár 

Semi-Final 2 | Second Half

Eurovision 2016: Review: Hungary: Freddie: Pioneer

Freddie: Heading for the Eurovision final?

In a year when former finalist the Kállay Saunders Band was considered a shoo-in to represent Hungary at the Eurovision Song Contest, the honour to wave the Hungarian flag in Stockholm instead fell to relative unknown Freddie with the song Pioneer.

He is yet another product of a reality TV singing competition, this time Hungary's version of the international television franchise, Rising Star.  Finishing fourth, he subsequently released the 2015 domestic hit single called Mary Joe which led to his participation at A Dal,  Hungary's platform for its Eurovision selection.

Pioneer managed to top the scoreboard in Heat 1 of the competition, as well as becoming the clear winner of his semi-final. Following an assured performance in the final, Freddie took the crown with points to spare.

It's perhaps not surprising as Freddie and his song are something of the 'full package' when it comes to Eurovision these days. There's as much - if not more - attention to the visuals as there is to the song, and Team Hungary can expect points galore on both fronts.

While Pioneer is hardly ground breaking, it does hold your attention throughout its entire duration. From the subliminal whistling technique at the beginning to the driving, anthemic chorus, it possesses a belting melody which quickly grabs your subconscious. You soon find yourself tapping your foot and humming along as if you've known the song for a long time.

In Eurovision terms, that's a winning formula. If you add into the mix a particularly photogenic singer along with an unusually athletic drummer, then there should be nothing holding back viewers from voting in their droves.

What might cause a few problems, particularly with the juries, is Freddie's tendency to get carried away with his vocals. His voice is gritty and strong, but at times he's inclined to shout and veer off key - a likely rationale for downgrading his points total.

What influence, if any, this has on his chances of a reasonable placing on the scoreboard is yet to be determined, but given that Pioneer and its singer have a lot in their favour, it wouldn't be a surprise to see it finish with a very respectable score.

What do you think?


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