Label: Frontiers Records
Release: 2006
Andre Andersen, keyboardist of the Danish band Royal Hunt, along with two excellent melodic screamers, David Readman (Pink Cream 69) and Paul Laine, who put out two enviable solo albums and sang with the “hard rockers” Danger Danger, are the main pillars of a project that brings to market a record with a trivially mathematical title (1+1+1=3) called “III”. Welcome home, anyone who loves short, melodic “hard rock bangers” that stick to a tight three to four minutes and go straight into the ear with no holding back, where the musicians play in lockstep the whole way through and build a proper adrenaline “rush” together, seasoned with excellent melody-crafting across the whole record.
The project sort of combines the trademarks of those three bands, and the songs carry some interesting hints of Y.J.Malmsteen’s Rising Force. Especially thanks to the baroque “feel” of the guitar ornaments and the pure classical-style electric guitar soloing. Even the vocal harmonies here and there recall a “Yngwie hard rock” approach. And where Malmsteen gets a mention, the compositions on “III” are not far from the forms of good old Rainbow either, with riffing and keyboard layers working hand in hand, though all the songs are of course dressed in a modern, steel-plated stance. The feeling is convincing and the 10 songs combine a simplicity that gets the listener on their feet right away. The technical polish at certain points on the record literally takes your breath away, especially thanks to the stunningly fast fingers of guitarist Bjarke Hopen.
Sure, a project again. Anyone with five minutes to spare makes a project these days. There are loads of them. And this one is among those that don’t have even a speck of interest in exploring unknown musical territory. The guys on “III” do what they do best and keep winning over the hearts of the fans of their home bands. So, to sum up: a bouncy “hard rock” record that proves the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Lineup
Paul Laine – vocals
David Readman – vocals
Kenny Lubcke – backing vocals
Bjarke Hopen – guitar
Andre Andersen – keyboards, guitar, bass guitar
Kaj Laege – drums
Production
Andre Andersen
Tracklist
1. Rise
2. Dust To Dust
3. The Way It Goes
4. Straight To The Heart
5. Tell Me Your Lies
6. Don’t Need A Thing
7. End of My Rope
8. Scared To Live
9. Bulletproof
10. Learning To Fly
Album length: 36:40
