SILENT CALL - GREED
26th March 2010 / Escape Music

Hailing from Sweden are melodic prog metal exponents Silent Call who feature in their ranks original Seventh Wonder vocalist Andi Kravljaca.  "Greed" marks the bands second album and after winning much praise with their debut 2008's "Creations From A Chosen Path” the band build upon the solid foundations here.

Being a nice mix of the expected melodic prog metal hallmarks Silent Call deliver good songs, backed up by good musical performances if a tad faceless, particularly the lead work by guitarist Daniel Ekholm.  Andi Kravljaca possesses a strong voice uses it for all its worth over the 11 tracks on offer. However, the album is not helped by the overly dark and muddy production – a surprise given it’s been mixed and mastered by Martin Kronlund (Hammerfall). 

Highlights come in the guise of ‘I Am My Nation’, the melodic metal thrust of ‘Dream Tomorrow’ and the groove laden ‘Falling From Grace’  and the power ballad of ‘When The Angels Call Your Name’ although these tracks are fighting against the production yet ultimately enjoyment will be found.

‘Greed’ marks a good second album from Silent Call, the band certainly have potential and this is likely to appeal to fans of the melodic prog genre.  Not a killer album but serviceable enough and one that shows potential for album #3.

Rating – 80%  
 

SALUTE - TOY SOLDIER
Out Now / Escape Music

Another Swedish all star project, brought to us this time by Escape Music. Well, all star may be a bit exaggerated, but these guys have made their mark in bands such as Last Autumn’s Dream and Don Patrol. By now you may be aware of my scepticism towards all these projects. Fortunately, Salute is a cut above the others.

Opening track “Lost In A Dream” is a kick ass hard rocker with some classy Hammond boosting the riffage. And overall, that’s what the album offers: up-tempo hard rock, with fire in the belly and a pint in hand. The title track wouldn’t be out of place on a Thunder album, with its swaggering riff and supporting organ. As is usually the case, the tempo drops in the second half of the album. A track like “Steel Desire” will make sure we don’t doze off though. Closing ballad “Yesterday Always Been Gone” is a bit bloated, with hints of Bon Jovi.

Erlandsson’s voice may be an acquired taste, but it works most of the time. The label makes a lot of fuss about the production, and for good reason. The album sounds organic and alive rather than digital and cheap.

While it’s not quite as good as the excellent W.E.T., this album doesn’t disappoint if you’re into old school hard rock.

Rating – 83%
Review by Sancho
 

VAIN - ALL THOSE STRANGERS
Out Now / Jackie Rainbow Records

Vain never quite achieved the big time first time around. I don’t know if they’re back doing new stuff, but if you were a fan, you’ll rejoice in this album.

If a first listen makes you think time has stood still, don’t worry. This is Vain’s second album, scheduled for release in 1991. The collapse of Island records prevented that though.

Opening track “Love Drug” is really “Beat The Bullet 2.0”. Most of the tracks are typical of the tail end of the hair era. Think Bang Tango, Love/Hate and, obviously, Vain… These guys weren’t taking any chances when they wrote this one… A bit whiny, with less flashy guitars and less spandex, these bands heralded the grunge era, and we all know how much fun that turned out to be.

If you were into Vain’s debut, you can buy this one without hesitation. Personally, I wasn’t impressed then, and I’m not overwhelmed now.

Rating – 70%
Review by Sancho

MYRATH - DESERT CALL
Out Now / Nightmare Records

Myrath hail from Tunisia, not a country renowned for its metal acts, but with their second offering ‘Desert Call’ prog/power metal fans should start to think of the country as something other than a holiday destination.  Having originally come to attention with their debut ‘Hope’ the band are now hoping for bigger things freshly signed to Nightmare Records. 

Musically the band peddles strong prog/power metal with a unique mix of melodic Arabian tunes, and prog-power metal enhanced by a balanced Arabian and western orchestration.  Musically this is pretty much faultless and the Arabic influence lends itself wonderfully well to the prog/power metal mix.  All the tracks work well as a collective unit yet after numerous spins nothing really jumps out as truly individual but then the album as a whole is enjoyable enough.  The vocals of Zaher Zogati are likely to be an acquired taste for many, possessing a strong accent, but they are serviceable enough and not too much of a distraction.

Sonically things are strong with a well balanced mix, strong tones  although this is to be expected as it’s was mixed and produced by Kevin Codfert (Adagio, Venturia etc) and ‘Desert Call’ for the most part ticks all the right boxes.  

Overall a solid release.

Rating – 82%

TREAT - COUP DE GRACE
Out Now / Frontiers

Treat never quite made it in the eighties and, going by this new album, they won’t cut it in this millennium either.

On new album Coup De Grace we are treated to a selection of songs that fall under the banner contemporary melodic hard rock. One need only check opening track “The War Is Over” for proof. “All In” is one of the stand out tracks, with some great Geezer (Butler)-esque bass playing driving what could easily have been a pedestrian effort to the next level.  “Paper Tiger” is a rather awkward attempt to woo the younger metal audience, with some bombastic keyboards thrown in that really only serve to confound the issue. There’s already plenty of bands peddling this, we don’t need another…To add insult to injury, they do it again on “Roar”.

And thus the tone is set for the rest of the album. The band tries to be all things to all people and never quite convinces. Make up your mind guys, are you a hard rock band or the next coming of Nightwish, minus the opera-isms?

On the bright side, production is excellent, the musicians are more than competent and most of the songs have at least something going for them. I’m not all that taken by the singer, but that may be a matter of taste. The guitar playing is good, but not at the level of some of their peers. Keel’s guitarists have done a better job at keeping their chops up, for instance.

A somewhat lackluster release.

Rating - 67%
Review by Sancho