| CD REVIEW Moritz |
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Band : Moritz Although to most of us Moritz may be a new name in the world of keyboard-driven AOR/ Melodic Rock, the London based band's roots go back to the late '80s, when guitarist Greg Hart (formerly of Snowblind and Maxoon) joined forces in 1986 with Ore drummer Andy Elphick, bassist Ian Edwards, keyboardist Andy Stewart (formerly of Josie & The Pussycats; together with whom Hart had shortly played in the Sussex based Pomp Rock Icemon prior to starting Moritz – Icemon only existed long enough to make the one 3-track demo Icebreakers), and singer Steve Annets (soon replaced by Peter Scallan), releasing a 4-track 7-inch EP in 1987. Somehow the timing simply wasn't right, and the band never made it any further, in spite of a couple more demo recordings. After Moritz' demise in 1988, Hart, Elphick and Edwards continued to form If Only with former Waysted guitarist Martin Chaisson, but besides recording a couple of demos, nothing came off the ground. Admittedly, by then the world (and subsequently also the UK) was falling in the grips of the whole Grunge scene thing, which crippled even some of the long-time signed bands in the AOR and Melodic Rock genre. Scallan was slightly luckier, joining Samson. Hart nevertheless continued to be active in music, creating the '70s tribute band Flairz, later playing (and recording) original songs with Hartless. He also sessioned on the Asia album Aqua, appeared on Geoff Downes's 1991 album Vox Humanis, and joined reputed Thin Lizzy tribute band Limehouse Lizzy in July 2000. In later years he's been approached by several fans eager to put their hands on material by his old bands, and this prompted him to establish his own label Harmony Factory, which started activities by releasing the Hartless album Full Circle. Around the same time he contacted his old buddies from Moritz to start the band up again. Seems reasonable, as since the start of the millennium Melodic Rock and AOR are indeed back in demand. So, in 2008 the band (comprised of Pete Scallan, Hart, Stewart, Edwards, and second guitarist Mike Nolan) returned with their album City Streets (containing new versions of the band's old material, and even one track taken directly from a 1986 demo for comparison). Meanwhile, Harmony Factory also (re?-)issued the If Only album No Bed Of Roses, adding Moritz' sophomore album to the list in May. That album has been doin' remarkably well already. First of all, it became available online in Japan through Rock Avenue Records, then Power Magazine's Rod Evans put the album at #1 in his Underground playlist for two consecutive months (issues 122 – also saw a review of the album getting a 10/10 rating, as well as a full interview with Hart – & 123). Following a deal made with the label in June, the album's worldwide distribution through Cargo started mid August. So what's the fuzz about? Well...okay, let's put it quite simple: at myspace.com/moritzblitz, the band cites such Classic AOR acts as Journey, Survivor, Foreigner, White Sister, Nightranger, Le Roux, and Aldo Nova as their influences...and quite frankly, in old days any of those bands would've lóved to have a band such as Moritz as their warm-up act at shows. In other words, Moritz stands its ground in between those names. Nice clean and powerful high-pitched lead vocals, harmonic vocal backings, melodic twin guitar play with great lead parts, and a keyboard that always fortifies the rhythm section of bass and drums to pompous effects. Sure, occasionally the keyboards come to the fore a bit more, and that's of course during the couple of ballads, where the keyboards are set to piano mode. But don't believe me at word's value, and go and listen to the tracks posted at the band's Myspace page, eh! 90/100 Tony. |
