It has been a while since The 69 Eyes released new material but damn, they came back with a real statement. The Finnish gothic rock veterans have been around since 1989 and still have the same lineup after all these years, which is already impressive on its own, but what is even more impressive is that they still sound this hungry and relevant. With “I Survive” they kick off a brand new chapter under their new deal with BLKIIBLK, the heavy metal imprint of the Frontiers Label Group, and if this EP is anything to go by, this new era is going to be a lot of fun.
The EP opens with the title track “I Survive” and it is an absolute banger from start to finish. Dark rock vibes, a driving riff that grabs you immediately and a chorus that gets stuck in your head whether you like it or not. Jyrki 69 sounds as commanding and charismatic as ever and the band lock in together with that tight, sleazy chemistry that has always been their trademark. What makes this track extra special though is the addition of legendary guitarist Steve Stevens, the man behind some of Billy Idol‘s most iconic moments. You might wonder if a guest like that could overpower the band’s own sound but it works perfectly. Stevens adds a crackling, electrifying energy to the track without ever taking it away from The 69 Eyes. The song was co-written with Emmy Award-winning songwriter Jacob Bunton and mixed by Barry Pointer, who has worked with Ozzy Osbourne on the Grammy-nominated “Crack Cocaine”. That pedigree shows in every second of the production, which is tight, punchy and perfectly balanced between modern polish and raw rock ‘n’ roll energy.
“Cold Sweat”, the classic Thin Lizzy track, gets a full The 69 Eyes makeover and honestly it is one of the highlights of the EP. Rather than just doing a straightforward cover they really make it their own, wrapping it in their signature dark elegance and intensity. It sits completely naturally alongside their original material and feels like it could have always been a The 69 Eyes song. The EP rounds out with “In The Misery” and “Devil’s Rose” featuring Ed Mundell from Monster Magnet, giving the release a nicely varied feel while staying firmly in the band’s lane throughout.
Overall I Survive is a focused, confident and genuinely exciting release. It celebrates everything that has made The 69 Eyes such an enduring force in gothic and glam rock while also proving there is still plenty of creative fire left in the tank. For longtime fans this is essential listening and for anyone who has never given this band a proper chance, this is honestly the perfect place to start. After more than 30 years together these Helsinki Vampires are still standing, still delivering and still sounding like nobody else. Cannot wait to see what comes next
released : 5th June 2026
Label : BLKIIBLK
Score : 9 / 10
Written by : Antonie
Tracklist
- I Survive
- Cold Sweat
- In The Misery
- Devil’s Rose
