I had already gotten a bit jaded when it came to AOR – especially the Swedish and Scandinavian styled – back in 2017. Too many bands sounded pretty much the same – same song-structure, production and arrangements – and I had gotten bored. Still am. Enter: Wildness. The band’s self-titled took me by storm and completely floored me. Not that they were revolutionary by any means, but they dared to take AOR out of its comfort zone and weren’t afraid to step outside of the box. While their style was clearly based on AOR and Melodic Rock, it wasn’t especially hard to spot that the members had influences in other branches of Rock as well. Hard Rock, Classic Rock and at times even Metal showed up in their songs and brought a spark and dynamic to the whole sound. And the songs were amazingly good.
And now the band is back with their second effort, an album that was supposed to be released late last year, but got delayed for some reasons. Sure, we’re dealing with a fucking pandemic but what took most of their time was that their lead singer Gabriel Lindmark decided to jump ship which had the other guys – drummer Erik Modin, guitarists Pontus Sköld and Adam Holmström and bassist Marcus Sjölund – to find a new singer. Since Lindmark had a powerful and strong voice, it couldn’t have been easy for the guys to find a proper replacement. When they finally did, it was ex Blazon Stone singer Erik Forsberg who took hold of the vocal duties and they presented the guy with a cover of Gary Moore’s “Out In The Fields”, a surprisingly good cover. That said, while I thought Forsberg did a good job, I wasn’t completely convinced that he would be able to replace a powerhouse like Lindmark. The new record – with expectations higher than Mount Everest in tow – will be his trial by fire and the band’s proof that the brilliant debut wasn’t just a one-off.
“Call Of The Wild” that opens the album is an intro that sounds like some kind of 80’s movie-soundtrack which builds up an atmosphere for the real opening track and latest single, the upbeat Hard Rock belter “Die Young”. It’s a heavy piece with a clear Metal twists on a straight-forward and punchy rhythm, fast tracked and rough yet with a smoother soundscape and an in-your-face and direct Melodic Rock laden chorus, so damn catchy I have to gasp for air. What a way to open the album! Brilliant! “Nowhere Land”, also an upbeat rocker that brings on some fat, meaty riffing and a thunderous rhythm-section. The verses are heavy and crunchy Hard Rock and it leads us to a chorus that’s a bit more AOR-polished but never mawkish. Did I say catchy? Well, let’s just say that if this song could sell hooks, it’d be a billionaire. Amazing!
First single “Cold Words” at first sounds like it could have been a leftover from the debut. It’s a bit glossier than the two first tracks with more prominent pop-vibes but it also contains some chunky guitar-lines and a solid, steady rhythm and no matter if it’s verse or chorus, the hooks are everywhere. Also more prominent are the keyboards but as slick as it might be, it never turns cheesy or mundane. The chorus is massive with a huge hit-potential. Killer stuff indeed. If pop-rock on a heavy ground and a raunchy outlook is your thing then look no further than to “Renegades Of Love”. With a slick surrounding, crispy guitars and a nod towards classic Hard Rock, the tune goes for a live-feel with a big, juicy AOR-chorus on top. Very immediate and catchy and it sticks right from go. Great.
It’s ballad-time when “Falling Into Pieces” comes around, but not the kind of ballad you’d think when it comes to AOR and Melodic Rock. This one is on a heavier note, quite dark and detrimental and more down-to-earth with a tougher approach. The chorus is direct, effective, infectious and even though it brings on a slight power-ballad vibe with an enormous hook, it’s completely cheeseless – only powerful. Should be a future single. I love it. “Burning It Down” holds a darker and more sullen atmosphere with laid-back and groundy verses which are quite heavy yet with a Melodic Rock touch within the vocal-melodies. It takes a mid-paced turn and gets both fatter and more raunchy with a pumping bass and edgy guitars when the chorus shows up, complete with an infectious and quite smooth vocal-melody. Awesome stuff.
On poppier and smoother note, “My Hideaway” lays out an AOR-laden soundscape with lots of easy-listening melodies and pop-hit hooks in both verse and refrain without ever going sugary or mawkish on us at all. It’s clearly inspired by the mid to late 80’s, something the gorgeous Def Leppard like guitar that gushes over the crunchy rhythm like silk blanket tattles of. The chorus is nothing short of massive with a contagious keyboard arr. and a hit-friendly outlook all over. Another single contender. Phenomenal. And there’s more where that came from. “Denial” is heavier and the guitars are rowdier and more biting, it leans more towards Hard Rock and brings on a darker keyboard arrangement but the chorus is distinct, catchy and addictive and gets right in your face. It’s not even worth trying to surrender here. This is a hit. Brilliant!
Sit tight now because we’re not done just yet. The upbeat and rhythmic “Borderline” is a gritty Melodic Rock stomper that brings on a steady groove, quite intense and stage-friendly that mixes classic Hard Rock with AOR-laden vocal arrangements and a rawer foundation that’s smoothen up by a slicker production – and just like so many of the other tracks, a mastodon chorus you couldn’t beat out of your skull even if you wanted to. And why would anyone want that? A real killer. As a closer we get album’s title-track. It’s a bit of a curve-ball here as it starts out stripped, laid-back and organic with only piano and vocals with some added strings on top – very sombre and emotional. When the band comes in by second verse, the tune gets bombastic and even pompous – and the big, orchestrated refrain just knocked me for six. Amazing!
So how’s the new singer then? Well, he’s voice is bit more robust and Hard Rock but he holds a broad range and edgy phrasings – and he fits Wildness like a glove. No shadow over Lindmark at all, he’s great but I actually prefer Forsberg, if I must choose. Quality wise, Wildness has brought us a second portion of high-class rock-music and style wise, it’s easy to recognize them. It’s not a far cry from the debut although this album is a bit heavier and rougher around the edges and the band’s blend of Hard Rock, Melodic Rock and AOR – with nods to Metal here and there – works like a charm. The production, signed Modin and Erik Wagelius, is big, full and dynamic – both a bit rough and slick. If you had any liking towards the debut, you’ll love this. Is this even better? I’m not sure but it sure is equally as good. Brilliant musicians and two albums of awesome songs – in a fair world stardom would await right around the corner. Keep this up and it’s not impossible they’ll get it.
9/10
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Tracklist:
1. Call Of The Wild
2. Die Young
3. Nowhere Land
4. Cold Words
5. Renegades Of Love
6. Falling Into Pieces
7. Burning It Down
8. My Hideaway
9. Denial
10. Borderline
11. The Ultimate Demise
CD & Festival reviews 