I have addressed this before about Jorn Lande. The guy is obviously a brilliant singer with a voice that’s like a bastard child of Ronnie James Dio and David Coverdale and to hear him sing is always a big pleasure. The thing is, though, his solo albums has always left me underwhelmed. Never bad per se but when it comes to song-writing there’ s something missing. The thing that takes a song from being only good or ok to great. When I hear him sing on projects like Ayreon or Avantasia – or the two first Masterplan albums – I hear pure brilliance. The Swing Of Death (2015) album that he and guitarist Trond Holter (Wig Wam) did was a killer and so was the 1994 self-titled debut from Vagabond, a band he had with Ronni Le Tekro (TNT). Ergo: Lande needs a killer song writing partner and it’s a shame it didn’t work out with Holter.
When Jorn decided to participate in the Melodi Grand Prix, the Norwegian Eurovision Song Contest, last year it raised a few eyebrows – and it also raised an interest for me to hear what kind of song he would sing. The answer was “Faith Bloody Faith”, a song that ended up on his new album as the closing track. That song also raised some hope for the new album as it was a damn good one. The stompy rocker is a bit more poppy than what we’re used to but it’s by no means slick or sugary. The base is still the Classic Rock he’s known for but with a more hooky approach and with an upbeat and direct chorus that sticks from get-go. It didn’t win but it doesn’t matter as it’s a damn good track. Should’ve been a major hit.
The album opens with the title-track which is, apart from said MGP tune, the album’s lead-off single. It’s quite easy to spot who this is even without hearing Jorn’s voice. It’s a heavy and rough-edged Classic Rock stomper, classic Jorn sounding Black Sabbath/Dio-isms. Big riffs, a ballsy and hard-hitting rhythm and Lande’s raspy yet melodic voice makes for a really good opener and the chorus is, without going hit-searching on us, really memorable. Good one. “Dead London” is a very in-your-face and mid-paced Classic Rock/Hard Rock number that holds a good blending of 70’s and 80’s Hard Rock. The main riff is a catchy one and the Melodic Rock flirtatious chorus catches on right from go. Good stuff.
“My Rock And Roll” opens with an acoustic intro but continues on a high octane note yet slower in tempo. It’s a melodic number yet with a darker edge and the 80’s Hard Rock melodies contrasts fine with the edgy guitars and the roaring Hammond organ. The verses are a bit more held-back but the chorus presents a direct hook. A good song but the chorus could have been catchier. The single “One Man War” that kicks off with some held-back yet punchy verses slows the tempo down some and throws a nod back to 70’s Hard Rock. The chorus however holds a sharp hook and a larger soundscape with a clear mid 80’s vibe. It’s more live-friendly than radio-friendly and to me that’s a good thing. Good one.
Clearly metal-infected “Black Phoenix” is an aggressive, heavy and rowdy number with slammin’ rhythms, very straight ahead and in your face. While all this is well, it somehow gets lost along the way as I miss a prominent hook and memorable melodies. It might come across differently live but on record it really doesn’t go anywhere and never takes off. “Special Edition” is more nuanced and sports a clearer main melody with a more melodic outlook. It’s classic Whitesnake/Dio/Sabbath Jorn but again, the big hook is missing and the chorus never brings a real punchline.
“Ode To The Black Nightshade” takes on a bigger 80’s touch with a direct and distinct vocal melody over a bouncy and groovy rhythm. The core of the song is the classic melodic Hard Rock he’s known for but what lifts this number are the hook-laden melodies and the big chorus. A big up from the last two songs. “Winds Of Home” is a shorter and concise rocker with some chuggy guitars on a straight forward rhythm. It’s quite monotone in its structure and goes on and on without any real changes in the musical pattern which in turn leaves out any variation and nothing much really happens. It comes across as both rushed and unfinished. A forgettable piece that maybe would have needed some more work.
“In The Dirt” might hold a darker atmosphere but it’s pretty much a meat n’ potatoes Classic Rock number, Deep Purple influenced on a straight forward note with a crunchy, graveling guitar sound on a beefy rhythm and an infectious groove. The live feel here is prominent with an in-your-face punch. The vocal lines and the melodies might be melodic and even catchy at one point but the chorus is also a bit forgettable and never really takes off. It’s an ok song though. “Believer” comes off as a Melodic Rock track with some Classic Rock grooves and a Hammond and the catchy riff is reminiscent of Kiss’ “Sure Know Something”. Its pop-laden melodies gives the tune a smoother touch and the chorus is big and very catchy. Very good.
After a few spins it stands clear that this record suffers from the same thing most of Jorn’s solo effort does – most of the songs just don’t cut it all the way and on this record “Faith Bloody Faith” is easily the best and most stand-out track. It’s not a bad album at all but on too many occasions it lacks hooks, memorable melodies and choruses that really stick. It’s a step up from the last album but I still hold Jorn’s two cover-albums as his best when it comes to his solo catalogue – which kinda speak volumes. Again, Lande is a phenomenal singer and his band is very competent players but in my opinion he needs a co-writer that can take the song-quality to a higher level.
5/10
More Jorn reviews:
Heavy Rock Radio
Life On Death Road
Heavy Rock Radio II: Executing The Classics
Tracklist:
1. Over The Horizon Radar
2. Dead London
3. My Rock And Roll
4. One Man War
5. Black Phoenix
6. Special Edition
7. Ode To The Black Nightshade
8. Winds Of Home
9. In The Dirt
10. Believer
11. Faith Bloody Faith
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