Band : Royal Hunt

Album title : Collision Course (Paradox II)

Label : Frontiers

Distributor: Rough Trade

Release date : 14/03/2008

Release : CD

Let's not go into this Symphonic/ Progressive Rock/ Metal band's history, shall we? I mean, I reviewed their previous studio (2005's Paper Blood , posted 15/07/2005) and live album (2006 CD & DVD release Royal Hunt 2006 , posted 07/12/2006) and gave you some background with each. Since all are still available for your scrutiny, just check those out (they won't show my usual angle for completeness, but what then we can't make 2-page reviews àll the time, can we?).

Work on the new album already started during 2006, with a projected recording session in Summer 2007 and a possible release in Oct./Nov. 2007. However, line-up changes are no stranger in the course of Royal Hunt 's history. Vocalist John West had been with the band for 4 albums (starting with 1999's Fear , there were also 2001's The Mission , 2003's Eye Witness , and of course 2005's Paper Blood ), and apparently it was time for a change. Following a (new) trip to Russia in late February 2007, it was decided that RH and West could no longer contribute to each others' reciprocal musical development, and therefore parted ways officially on March 16 th , not ruling out possible contributions either way in the future.

The band then posted a "Vocalist Wanted" ad on their website, and eventually got word from Mark Boals (formerly a bass player with Ted Nugent , he joined Yngwie Malmsteen as a vocalist...which led to no les than 6 successful albums. In recent years he's released 3 solo albums and an equal amount of studio albums and a live DVD with his own band Ring Of Fire ), who'd been looking around for a serious permanent band situation. For him, the opening with RH became the pérfect opportunity to exploit and expand his vocal abilities...and further his career up the corporate music ladder! In December '07 word came that recordings and mixing was finally finished, and master tapes sent out to the respective labels ( Frontiers , obviously, for Europe, Magna Carta for North America, Marquee/ Avalon for Japan and South-East Asia, and CD Maximum for Russia).

All in all, the new album took a total of 6 months in the making, but the result is simply outstanding and grandiose. With Ohio native Boals the band has got themselves a very grand singer...I mean, I never suspected he could dó that, you know! His highs are truely soaring, his sustain incredible...and of course in the vocal department he gets the usual wonderful backings we're used of from this band! Oh, about the album itself: it's a follow-up to 1997's Paradox album...and yes, it IS a concept album, dealing with the "collision course" between the modern Western world and "a new breed" grown on Eastern religious movements. Although a work of fiction, the topic is somewhat disturbing in its actuality when looking at the world's history of the last couple of years. Because it IS a conceptual album, tracks are sewn together. Besides the wonderful guitar work of guitarist Marcus Ridell , the intricate keyboard riddles of mastermind Andre Andersen , and the great rhythmic foundation of bassist Per Schelander and drummer Allan Sörensen , there's actual live violins (courtesy of one Patricia Skovgaard ), cellos ( Soma Allpass , whom also contributed to Peper Blood ), plus woodwinds and accordeon ( Erik Rosenqvist ) Then, there's a lead female role (during "Tears Of The Sun" ) for Michelle Raitsin , and of course Maria McTurk is back on call for female backing vocals (most probably she'll be performing the lead female vocals on stage, as per usual). More (backing) vocals came courtesy of Ian Parry , Doogie White , Kenny Lubke (another returnee from the last studio album), Henrik Brockmann , and the aforementioned Allpass.

In short, Andersen and his band have yet again succeeded in creating an album which surpasses all they did before. Have yourself a taster by surfing to myspace.com/royalhuntmusic, where you'll not only find 3 mp3-files and videos off older albums, but also of the new album's tracks "The First Rock" and "Blood In Blood Out" (at least, that was the situation last time I looked...more songs may have been added since). No matter whether you're into conceptual albums or not, the 10 tracks (with a duration of just under 52 minutes) on this album will provide you with a truely magnificently resounding session each time you listen to it! Most probably, you'll need some time to simmer down after the first session, but I can asure you that the album's material is hot enough to get you up from the seat and press that "play" button again...and again, and again...!!!

If the live environment is your thing, look out for tour dates in your neighborhood during May and June (Belgium: May 16 th in Vosselaar; Holland: May 17 & 18; other areas, check Myspace or royalhunt.com).

98/100

Tony.