| CD REVIEW Salute |
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Band: Salute When you read the name of this band, you practically think that Salute is a Spanish band. Nevertheless, they are a band hailing from the mekka of death metal music, Gotheborg in Sweden. This time, the famous city doesn’t deliver crushing death metal tunes, but powerful hardrock songs which make you think back of the glory days of Journey. The mastermind behind this quite recent project is Mikael Erlandsson, the Swedish singer, songwriter and keyboardist who became well-known in Europe thanks to his participation to the Eurovision Song Festival in 2003. One year after the release of the debut album, Toy Soldier, Mikael is back with the follow-up, called Heart Of The Machine. The first song, "Higher", is a song the way a hardrock song is supposed to be: catchy chorus and explosive melody with lyrics you can already sing along after the first listening. In "Feed Your Hunger", clear references are made to one of the best hardrock bands ever, Journey. "I Will Be There" is a beautiful ballad in which the wonderful voice of Mikael can be heard very clearly. It almost gives me goosebumps while listening to it. The next track, "Tearing Me Down", immediately takes you back to the highway. Speed and metal, a perfect combination on a hard rock album. The final track on the album "Your Servant Tonight" combines all these strong elements which can be found on the entire album. Especially the impressive chorus is amazing. The only thing that could have been done better is the production of the album. I miss some kind of boost underneath the songs which would keep it more interesting. Salute definitely marked its place between the bigger hardrock bands around on the globe. A new Train Of Rock ‘N Roll has arrived. 77/100 Nick Tronckoe. |
