Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Artist: Allen, Russell & Lande, Jorn
Label: Frontiers Records
Release: 2010
Length: 61:31
Rating: 4.5/5
I hope Russell Allen and Jorn Lande don’t need much of an introduction. We’re talking about two outstanding vocalists. The first left an indelible mark on the progressive metal perfection of American band Symphony X, while the second is already one way or another Mr. “Everywhere” – from his own band Jorn to the power metallers Masterplan, and let’s stop the list right there. Jorn already has two releases behind him this year, Allen is currently popping up on the new album from Star One, the project of Dutch musical wizard Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon), and a new Symphony X album, his home band, is also on the way. Workaholics all over the place!
Add Swedish multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and producer Magnus Karlsson (Starbreaker, Primal Fear, The Codex, Last Tribe), who can’t find a second to catch his breath either, and the picture is clear. Especially if Karlsson had real inspiration and ideas at the writing stage. The music and arrangements are, in fact, entirely Karlsson’s work. The third Allen / Lande album is a third job well done. Top-class production, top-class melodic finish, an outstanding atmosphere where epic grandeur and melancholy walk hand in hand with proper theatrical drama that grabs you by the ears and shakes you to the core… And last but not least, the album is another successful showcase of variety and high dynamics. I’m talking about variety within expected limits.
Given how excellent the first two albums were, this quality, this level, this musical approach isn’t just welcome and expected, it’s demanded. It’s a completely unique and recognizable musical direction that’s not easy to put a name to. At its core we can talk about melodic hard rock, but with its wound-up riffing and massive wall of sound it almost blurs the line between hard rock and heavy metal (Turn All Into Gold – the riff in the verse is metal, the chorus is bombastic AOR, and it’s not the only such case on the album). Add the juicy, tasteful use of keyboards and the full exploitation of the extra keyboard arrangements, and there’s no doubt that many a prog metal band would kill for this kind of cohesion.
Of course, the leading roles went to the two fantastic vocalists, who once again squeezed out their absolute maximums. This time Russell Allen gets the edge, stepping up first on the opening title track. Karlsson’s songwriting approach fits both singers like a glove, and their vocal showpieces reach peak expression throughout the album. Both voices are rooted in hard rock. Allen doesn’t hide the parallels with Ronnie James Dio (Rainbow, Dio, Black Sabbath), who he grew up listening to, and Lande is the all-too-well-known understudy David Coverdale (Whitesnake). In the verses both bring a great feel for improvisation, and in the choruses their vocal colors merge into harmonized duets, creating that unique, recognizable punch of big arena-anthem melodies that dig under your skin irreversibly on the first listen.
It’s hard to pick out highlights yet again. From A to Z the songs bear the unmistakable stamp of a unique approach to melodic hard rock, one that can still handle maximum arrangement variety, including guitar escapades from the classic Scandinavian “Yngwie” school, so that we can call “The Showdown” a record built on a hard rock foundation, even though the bombastic arrangements and wound-up riff production make it reek of metal throughout. That’s why it won’t be hard to warm up to for anyone who loves the music of Avantasia, plus a hefty pile of bands including Symphony X, Angra, Edguy, Starbreaker, Masterplan,… Even in the calmer moments, like the ballad Copernicus, Karlsson can’t hide his arranger’s touch, and both vocalists breathe even more expressively in their mastery, crowning it with a stunning vocal performance full of sensual immersion.
From here on there’s no point wasting words. This is perfection in melodic, to coin a term, metal, thanks to the extremely wound-up riff production, which is geared toward high atmosphere and a yearning dramatic effect, extraordinary dynamics in mood swings, one-of-a-kind vocal acrobatics and incredible melodic perfection and polish. At the same time, a slightly wicked question comes up. What exactly is Magnus Karlsson looking for in Primal Fear? It’s a real shame to see him among the German bruisers. To wrap up: do yourself a favor and get “The Showdown” without fail. All of you who chase melodic perfection, and who love AOR melodies and their use in wound-up metal production that also doesn’t lack bombastic keyboards and, of course, the best a male voice can possibly offer in such a production, don’t be cheapskates. Treat yourselves to the best. Let’s hope this project comes to life on stage someday too, because a gem like this unquestionably deserves it. Third album in five years and third bullseye!
Lineup
Russell Allen – vocals
Jorn Lande – vocals
Magnus Karlsson – guitar, bass guitar, keyboards
Jamie Salazar – drums
Production
Magnuss Karlsson
Tracklist
1. The Showdown
2. Judgement Day
3. Never Again
4. Turn All Into Gold
5. Bloodlines
6. Copernicus
7. We Will Rise Again
8. The Guardian
9. Maya
10. The Artist
11. Eternity
12. Alias
