In wake of
Europe's re-union the name
John Norum is once again a hot topic in the media. In the slipstream of
Europe's comeback album "Start from the Dark"
John Norum releases his new solo album "Optimus". The album is named after the street where Norum grew up in Stockholm, Sweden.
It took a few listens before "Optimus" gained my interest. The album follows Norum's hard riffing and his tuned down guitar sound featured in
Europe 2004. Compared to Norum's previous solo albums "Optimus" is the first one introducing himself doing all vocals.
The album is rooted in seventies like Hard Rock ala Thin Lizzy, but sounds very modern. Norums playing style with heavy riffs and breaks plus in particular his voice reminds of Zakk Wylde.
Norum's crunchy guitars and his ear for melodic metal are perfectly conducted on album opener
Chase Down The Moon. The song is the highlight of "Optimus'" along with the melodic
Taking the Blame.
Overall the result is a bit disappointing. I don't think anyone question
John Norum's abilities on the six string, but the album has a tendency to float together and become a bit monotone mainly because of Norum's vocals. His vocals don't have the same range as the previous singers he worked with on his solo albums. Also the dark crunchy tuned down guitar sound becomes a bit monotone throughout a whole record.
It not that
John Norum can't sing - he actually sings pretty well but his voice lacks expression that breathes life into the songs. Norum's best vocals performance is on the laid back
Change will Come. Norum really puts soul into this one and breaks the monotone vocal pitch when he proves that he is able to hit some higher notes.
The album is short on really great melodic melodies, but it has some amazing guitar playing. All songs are guitar masterpieces - worth mentioning is
Nailed to the Cross in particular, which is co-written with Talisman's Frederik Åkesson. The solo is fantastic, but the song lacks some melodic pleasing to capture the listener. It's a bit hard to keep you jaw dropped because of the guitar playing alone.
Along with
Chase Down the Moon, Taking The Blame and
Change Will Come - the songs that works best are the instrumental title track and also the instrumental album closer
Solitude, which ends the album on a cheerful note and finally breaks away from the dark sound that characterizes the album.
Written by
Michael Thursday, February 17, 2005
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