In 2004 West Virginia guitar players Jeff Westlake and Jeff Boggs started a new project with the aim of reaching a broad audience. Together with good-looking frontlady Julie Westlake, guitar player Chris Stewart, bass player Dave Moody and drummer Jerry Lawson, they were able to make hard rock with groovy riffs and catchy melodies.

Julie’s voice fits with the hard rock rock songs, her vocals sometimes sound sensible (the ballad ‘Whisper’) then rather rough.
The production is also quite good, thanks to producer Michael Wagener (Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper). `Bombshell` was released in the US in 2006. In 2007 the cd is released in Europe. So, is Hydrogyn something new? The answer is no, it definitely isn’t new.

Even the cover isn’t original, although I have to admit that Julie knows how to pose for the camera.

There are many bands who have female vocalists and hard rock songs, but these songs sound rather good. ‘Breaking me Down’ has some progressive influences, ‘18 In Life’ is a cover of AC/DC`s `Back in Black`, which made me play the original again. That one sounds a lot better, that’s for sure. ‘The Sand’ is one of the highlights. This song strikes you with its heavy riffs, rough vocals and a solo full of energy
Did Jeff Westlake achieve his aim? Maybe in the States, but not in Europe. In short: Bombshell rocks but is not anything special.