Band : Lars Eric Mattsson
Album title : No Surrender + Live
Label : Lion Music
Distributor : Bertus
Release Date : 22/05/2009
Release : CD

No, this in no new work.  As a matter of fact it's a re-recorded version of one Lars Eric Mattsons earliest albums, originally released in 1989, and is destined to celebrate the original release from 20 years ago.
All vocals and guitars were re-recorded, and besides the original songs from the album, a few live-tracks were added.

There's no denying that he's a great musician, his songs sometimes remind me of Satriani, in that they are technically rather complex, but on the vocal front it's a different story.  To my taste his voice lacks in power, which has the effect that, although the songs in themselves are sometimes quite heavy, the overall effect of it is not strong enough.
I wonder if it really was necessary to re-record a 20 year old album.  Ok, the original may have lacked in quality, but with all the new albums coming out at a fast rate, and on top of that al the re-releases on CD of some great classic stuff, this migth be the reason this album will be overlooked by many, especially since his latest releases were more advanced.

For those of you who love his work, and were not able to buy the original release, I can recommend this album.

68/100

Erik Morren.