Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Artist: Hartmann
Label: Avenue Of Allies
Release: 2013
Length: 79:46
Rating: 4/5
Oliver Hartmann is a musical hero of the German city of Aschaffenburg. The guy is best known as the voice on five studio albums by the German power metal outfit At Vance, and you can hear him on a heap of records where he contributed backing vocals to the choir harmonies of bands and projects such as Avantasia, Rhapsody, Edguy, HammerFall, Helloween and Primal Fear, and he also sings with the Italian metallers Empty Tremor. Oliver Hartmann is a respected musician. And so is the band Hartmann, along with him. In Germany. Outside it, though, he’s known more or less only to the most hardcore fans of the European new-era hard rock tradition.
The guy put out his first two albums, »Out In the Cold« (2005) and »Home« (2007), on the Italian label Frontiers Records, the album »III« came out in 2009 on Sonic11, and the latest, »Balance«, in 2012 on Avenue Of Allies. He apparently managed to work out a deal with Frontiers Records so there’d be no trouble if he reissues the first two studio releases and puts them out again. Since he now has absolute control over his own creations, the compilation only makes sense insofar as his CDs are hard to find in stores. And nothing more. Hardly anyone outside Germany knows Hartmann. And that’s yet another curse of the new era. Because who even cares about physical CDs today? Still, the guy clearly chewed it over thoroughly, and the final tally brought him the sensible idea that it would be a good move to put out one more disc whose only job is to promote himself as well as possible. Hence this compilation. So Oliver Hartmann picked his own “best of,” onto which he packed the best material from all four studio albums. The compilation is very strong. And anyone who isn’t a die-hard hard rocker who needs every single CD at home will be more than happy with it. It’s extremely listenable and melodically predatory!
In terms of expression, the band Hartmann isn’t inventing a musical revolution. They’re adherents of ultra-melodic, infectious hard rock with guitars cranked up decisively in places, yet everything comes across balanced throughout. Where “the plow furrows the phrase more decisively,” it’s backed up by Hammond organ (What If I). Above all, though, the central figure of this whole story is of course Oliver himself with his exceptional, chameleon-like vocals, which come across especially vividly in the subtly soft moments, like the bluesy-tinged Cryin’, or right after it, one of the finest punchy hard rock ballads, After the Love Is Gone. The compilation is also proof that Oliver Hartmann, as a composer and arranger, has stayed faithful throughout his career to his winning songwriting formula, the one in which he’s most assured, at home, and feels most comfortable and safe. There are no genre detours, and a layperson would think this was a superior studio album rather than a compilation. Especially because the tracks on this compilation have been fully remastered and thus brought as close together in sound quality as possible.
The arrangements are spiced to the max. Hartmann is an experienced musician and a perfectionist, and he wants to squeeze the best out of himself and his players in the studio. He’s seen too many studios to this day to come across as inexperienced or “green” in his moves. He also has great connections out in the field, so numerous musicians from renowned European bands return the favors on his albums. The guy doesn’t forget to tastefully integrate tasteful programmed loops either (Suddenly, Coming Home To You), which add a dramatic stamp to the moods. The basic format of the songwriting comes from the principles of eighties hard rock, set on its feet by Whitesnake and Rainbow. You can’t miss those influences.
But Oliver Hartmann isn’t just a fantastic vocalist, he’s an outstanding guitarist too. All the solos you hear are his. The arrangements are of course craftily seasoned with curtains of keyboard sound as well. Then there are the tracks Coming Home To You and Save Me, where you can feel the influence of the “west coast” AOR approach in the vein of Survivor, and Joe Lynn Turner would certainly feel right at home in arrangements like these. Into the Light, a solemn celebration song, even carries an element of world music in its added choir chants that color the lead vocal.
The digital version also adds a cover of the great evergreen hit by Tears For Fears, titled Shout, which Hartmann performed back in his time with At Vance (the album »Heart of Steel« from 2000), and he included his own version of the song on his latest album »Balance« (2012). On the compilation it appears in a newly remixed variation. But watch out. You have to get the digital edition of the compilation.
»The Best Is Yet To Come« is a lovely compilation named after one of the songs from the Hartmann album »Balanc«. It hits the very heart of its mission. It lays bare, plain as day, Oliver Hartmann’s exceptional musical talent. As a vocalist, as a composer and as a guitarist! So, a recommended guide to the person and work of a musician who can boast a remarkable bunch of beautiful, melodic rock-minded compositions.
Line-up
Oliver Hartmann – vocals, guitar, backing vocals
Mario Reck – guitar
Armin Donderer – bass guitar
Markus Kullmann – drums
Jürgen Wüst – keyboards
Bodo Schopf – drums
GUEST MUSICIANS:
Tobias Sammet – vocals (track no. 15)
Sascha Paeth – guitar (track no. 15)
Production
Oliver Hartmann
Track list
1 All My Life
2 Alive Again
3 Right Here Right Now
4 Out In The Cold
5 Crying
6 After The Love Is Gone
7 Like A River
8 The Sun’s Still Rising
9 What If I
10 Don’t Give Up Your Dream
11 Suddenly
12 Save Me
13 Coming Home To You
14 Into The Light
15 Brothers (live feat. Tobias Sammet and Sascha Paeth)
16 Music (live)
17 Shout (remix) *
