ALLEN LANDE - review added 4th November 2010
Album Review: The Showdown (2010)
For fans of: Heavy Rock... and more besides
"The Showdown" sees singers Jorn Lande and Russell Allen returning for their third album in this series. The first, "The Battle" came in 2005. The second "The Revenge", which somehow passed me by, appeared in 2007.
As with the other albums, the musicianship is handled by Magnus Karlsson on guitars, bass and keyboards, and Jaime Salazar on drums. Magnus also wrote the tracks. In fact he writes so many songs for so many bands and projects, it's a wonder where he keeps squeezing his creative juices from. In places on "The Showdown", he really has excelled himself.
The sound is now refined down to a fine level, and now we are 5 years down the line the duo's real strengths can be played to. That means beautifully symphonic metal - heavy, but melodic and infinitely accessible - sitting alongside a number of quieter, more luscious tracks directed more towards ballad than battle metal. Anyone heading into the third Allen Lande album expecting a bombastic noise fest will come away disappointed, but if they do they will be missing the point.
As a whole this is a more intelligent, much more easy-on-the-ear album than the first. I'm not sure the best song here is as good as the best on the debut, but this may well be a more rounded release. The title track opens proceedings. It's a song that eases the listener into the album rather than kicking off with an explosion, but there's no doubting its likeability. 'Judgement Day' follows with that typically thoughtful Allen Lande style.
'Never Again' is a heavy symphonic ballad with plenty of potential to be an album-favourite for many people. 'Turn All Into Gold' is more of the same - heavy and as deep as the Pacific, The chorus borders on brilliant. 'Bloodlines' is a softer song - still loud enough - that again boasts a chorus you could cuddle and give affectionate names to. The mellow 'Copernicus' is arguably my favourite track from the album. Rest assured you'll be hearing more of it in the end of year awards. 'We Will Rise Again' is back to the beastly sound. It's a fine track, but perhaps a little lost after the genius of the previous few.
'The Guardian' is Journey-esque to start with. It takes a time to find its feet, but the chorus is worth the wait. 'Maya' is a groovily-rhythmed entry that plods, but in a surprisingly pleasant way. It's a definite grower. The proggy 'The Artist' doesn't do a lot for me, but there's no questioning the quality of the performances and production. 'Eternity' is another slower number, but it doesn't quite hit the highs of the earlier ones. Good all the same though. Bonus track 'Alias' is an okay close to the album.
In summation...
This is a great release that really carries the legacy of this project on its shoulders. Is it the best so far? Could well be...
Check out... All of it.
Track List:
01. The Showdown
02. Judgement Day
03. Never Again
04. Turn All Into Gold
05. Bloodlines
06. Copernicus
07. We Will Rise Again
08. The Guardian
09. Maya
10. The Artist
11. Eternity
12. Alias (Bonus Track)
Label: Frontiers Records
Artist's website(s): Jorn
