Frontiers
2008
1. Principles of Paradox
2. The First Rock
3. Exit Wound
4. Divide and Reign
5. High Noon at the Battlefield
6. The Clan
7. Blood In Blood Out
8. Tears of the Sun
9. Hostile Breed
10. Chaos A.C.
After over a decade, Royal Hunt have decided to sequel what is probably their most popular album to date and certainly my favorite release of theirs, Paradox. I had a fair amount of uncertainty going into this one with John West leaving them without a singer shortly before the album was recorded. Finding a vocalist to fill DC Cooper's shoes was hard enough but now a new vocalist would have to follow in the wake of two vocal giants like DC and John West.
After listening to this I'm not sure I'm ready to say Mark Boals can match either vocalist in terms of sheer talent, he does fit the band quite well as he can muster both an effective high range that recalls DC while most of the time keeping an earthy melodic mid-range that is a pretty good fit for John West. Certainly, I can see why they picked Boals and he should handle all eras of the band admirably live. But back on the note of the album itself, I must say it did take a couple listens before I warmed to Boals and I suspect it may take others the same as it is still an adjustment.
In terms of the music, I've gotta say that this album manages to capture the vibe and lyrical content of the first Paradox well while not going backward in time as the music still has that melodic flow of the John West material. In a way this album captures both new and old's strength as I find this album more cohesive without all the interludes the John West material was sometimes overfilled with, but it has the gripping melodic vocal lines and power of the newer. A change in vocals has not really altered the formula in the sense that this should be in a familiar vein and welcome to longtime fans.
Basically, this is a nice homage to a classic without being cheesy and an attempt at entirely redoing what has already been done and I think it should please any Royal Hunt fan. If you're not familiar with the band this could make for a pretty good intro for a band who's been around quite awhile now but sometimes gos overlooked. Fans of great melodic and creative music that still has some balls and energy should take note.
Highlights: Exit Wound, The First Rock, High Noon At The Battlefield, The Clan
Rating - 4.0/5
2. The First Rock
3. Exit Wound
4. Divide and Reign
5. High Noon at the Battlefield
6. The Clan
7. Blood In Blood Out
8. Tears of the Sun
9. Hostile Breed
10. Chaos A.C.
After over a decade, Royal Hunt have decided to sequel what is probably their most popular album to date and certainly my favorite release of theirs, Paradox. I had a fair amount of uncertainty going into this one with John West leaving them without a singer shortly before the album was recorded. Finding a vocalist to fill DC Cooper's shoes was hard enough but now a new vocalist would have to follow in the wake of two vocal giants like DC and John West.
After listening to this I'm not sure I'm ready to say Mark Boals can match either vocalist in terms of sheer talent, he does fit the band quite well as he can muster both an effective high range that recalls DC while most of the time keeping an earthy melodic mid-range that is a pretty good fit for John West. Certainly, I can see why they picked Boals and he should handle all eras of the band admirably live. But back on the note of the album itself, I must say it did take a couple listens before I warmed to Boals and I suspect it may take others the same as it is still an adjustment.
In terms of the music, I've gotta say that this album manages to capture the vibe and lyrical content of the first Paradox well while not going backward in time as the music still has that melodic flow of the John West material. In a way this album captures both new and old's strength as I find this album more cohesive without all the interludes the John West material was sometimes overfilled with, but it has the gripping melodic vocal lines and power of the newer. A change in vocals has not really altered the formula in the sense that this should be in a familiar vein and welcome to longtime fans.
Basically, this is a nice homage to a classic without being cheesy and an attempt at entirely redoing what has already been done and I think it should please any Royal Hunt fan. If you're not familiar with the band this could make for a pretty good intro for a band who's been around quite awhile now but sometimes gos overlooked. Fans of great melodic and creative music that still has some balls and energy should take note.
Highlights: Exit Wound, The First Rock, High Noon At The Battlefield, The Clan
Rating - 4.0/5
No comments:
Post a Comment