It’s quite insane when you think of the fact that it has been 32+ years since Swedish AOR-rockers Alien had their monster-hit (at least in Sweden…) “Only One Woman”, a cover of Marbles (feat. Graham Bonnet) old 60’s hit-ballad. That is also the one song that they’re to this day are remembered for, at least to the masses. That being said, their debut self-titled record did sell really well and sported the semi-hit “Tears Don’t Put Out The Fire” too. Lead singer Jim Jidhed left the band shortly after the tour and was replaced by Pete Sandberg, who re-did the album for the American market but nothing really happened and when Alien finally released their second album, the underrated Shiftin’ Gear (1990), only guitarist Tony Borg and Sandberg remained – the rest of the original line-up had quit.
Borg kept Alien alive for two more albums with various line-ups before disbanding Alien in 1996. In 2004 Jidhed and Borg reuinted with some session-musicians for Alien’s comeback album Dark Eyes, an ok album that didn’t make much of a fuss at all and Alien was laid to rest once again. Fast forward to 2010 and the original line-up (Ken Sandin – bass, Toby Tarrach – drums and Jimmy Wandroph – keyboards) reunited for touring and festivals but of course, the guys had to be creative and write new music and in 2014 the surprisingly vital and sparking Eternity was released, the first with the original line-up since the debut. When the band now is ready for yet another release the line-up is changed once more as both Sandin and Wandroph now has jumped ship.
The beforehand-talk spoke of Alien taking the new album into a heavier direction. When bands from the AOR genre lets such things come out the end result usually is their usual style with a more guitar-oriented sound and I thought that was case here as well. Alien heavy? Nah! That’s why opener “You Still Burn” left me dumbfounded with a black eye because of the KO the song turned out to be. A heavy and gritty guitar riff hit me in the face and when the verse started the song just got punchier with a dark sound and an aggressive outlook all over. AOR? No way, José, this is plain Hard Rock. Sure, the chorus is a bit more melodic with a right-on-target hook and the main-melody is very memorable, but I could never in a million years have guessed Alien sounding like this. And you know what? I dig it. It’s a killer tune and opener.
Leading single “Night On Fire” is a metal-infested riff-fest on a heavy foundation. It takes on a dark mood, it’s ballsy and muscular and the contrasts of the Thin Lizzy/Gary Moore/Dare influenced Celtic vibes works like a charm. The tune opens with a glistening guitar solo from Borg and the whole tune is an attempt to kick thy butt. The big, catchy chorus and the hook-laden main-melody is another contrast that works well, giving the tune a catchy yet never poppy or mawkish touch. Great stuff indeed. On a rolling bass and a punchy rhythm, the hard-edged “War Scars” takes a hit for the jaw – and succeeds. It’s a heavy hard-rocker in mid-pace with a crispy riff, a chunky organ and a darker laden atmosphere albeit still very direct. The chorus might not be hit-catchy but it’s still very effective and memorable. A monster of a song.
“Time Is Right” takes a step back toward’s Alien’s past. This one’s an uptempo Melodic Rock stomper that’s carried on a ground of Hard Rock and the keyboards are more prominent here. While the main melody is of the smoother kind and the striking refrain is AOR-catchy, not a far cry from their last album. That being said, the over-all sound here is heavier than we’re used to albeit not too characteristic. A great tune and perfect as a single. “What Are We Fighting For” mixes up styles here and there. It’s a mid-tempoed rock-cruncher that holds a stompy groove and a punchy and rough rhythm. It also brings on some Classic Rock vibes with a roaring Hammond and edgy guitars but we also get a Melodic Rock outlook within the melodies and a solid, direct refrain. The 80’s meets the 70’s like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Very good.
The title-track shamelessly flirts with Heavy Metal, the way Rainbow used to do it in the early 80’s. It’s a fast track, heavy with a moody ambience and the guitar solo part is right out of Ritchie Blackmore’s pocket. On a fat, pounding and solid beat, the song takes us into a hooky and very catchy chorus that’s memorable without sucking up for air-play. I love this one. The straight-forward “Freedom Wind” takes another turn back to the Melodic Rock days, much slicker in both sound and melodies but it’s still carried by a thunderous rhythm-section which gives it a more Hard Rock edge and the mixture of their past and heavier approaches marries just fine. The verses are more laid-back but not soft and the tune roughes up as it goes along with more hook-laden melodies and a strong AOR-ish chorus. I like.
“Really Wheeling It” chips in some chugging guitars and rough riffing on a straight-forward and muscular rhythm. The tune takes yet another turn towards Classic Rock with a Hard Rock twist and the vocal-melody-arrangement is melodic enough but it doesn’t fully go into Melodic Rock territories. It’s a crunchy, chunky and swinging rocker with a distinct chorus. Good one. Melodic Rock and Metal meets in the upbeat and ballsy “Fallin’ Way Down”, a tune where guitars and keyboards shares the space brotherly. The song is both edgy and slick and holds a glossier vocal-arrangement which shows some Steve Perry influences and the chorus is total AOR albeit not even the slightest mawkish. I dig this.
“In Her Eyes” might have a heavier outlook but is essentially a big Pop song with Hard Rock and Melodic Rock as spices. While the song is the biggest reference to Alien’s past on the record it still holds some gritty riffing from Borg, something that brings more fat to the big hooks, the smooth vocal-melodies and the infectious refrain. It’s a great song that offers some contrast to the otherwise so heavy album. The record’s biggest curve-ball though is the closing ballad “Children”, an emotional and stripped down slow tune that for most of the track holds only piano, synth-strings and vocals. The song is still sparse when the rest of the band comes in although it turns a bit heavier and the soundscape grows larger and more bombastic. A fine-tuned and sensitive ballad but never sugary or mawkish. Good one.
First of all, as an Alien album, this one’s a real curve-ball and all of you AOR hardcores out there that might had hoped for a follow-up to their debut soundwise might just get a little disappointed here. This is a heavy album. This is a Hard Rock album. It’s heavier than anything they’ve ever done before. Fact is, it’s often so different that a name-change wouldn’t have been out of the place. Jim Jidhed’s voice is one of the few connections to the band’s old days but that being said, even his voice is raspier and more hoarse than ever. But, folks, this is not a bad thing at all. Quite the contrary. I think this suits them very well even though I get if there are fans out there that begs to differ on that. I think this album is great. I have some issues with the production though. It’s a bit muddy and cavernous and the music would have benefited from a cleaner and more vigorous production. Still, my thumbs are going up for this one and kudos to the band for daring to step out of their comfort zone!
8/10
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Tracklist:
1. You Still Burn
2. Night Of Fire
3. War Scars
4. Time Is Right
5. What Are We Fighting For
6. Into The Future
7. Freedom Wind
8. Really Wheeling It
9. Fallin’ Way Down
10. In Her Eyes
11. Children
CD & Festival reviews 