Band : Xorigin
Album title : State Of The Art
Label : Frontiers Records
Distributor : Rough Trade Benelux.
Release Date : 26/08/2011
Release : CD

You’d never believe it, but this band actually consists of only 2 persons, Johannes Stole on vocals , and Daniel Palmqvist on guitar. Drummer on duty was producer/drummer Daniel Flores (Murder of My Sweet), while keyboards were handled by Robert Sall.

The real origins of the band date back to 1999 – Los Angeles, when Johannes and Daniel  formed a band named Orange Crush. But both artists returned back to their home countries Sweden and Norway where they established themselves, Joannes becoming a well known studio musician, while Daniel  is best known for being the guitarist in Murder Of My Sweet. Basically what you get here is a very good AOR album, with a penchant towards more melodic songs, I mean just listen to the fantastic song ‘In the blink of an eye’ and you know what you’re in for.

I personally would rate their music as being in the same vein as Nightranger or Loverboy, with hints of Journey. So you know what you’re in for, 80-ies AOR rock, but rather well performed.

90/100

Erik Morren.