Since 2015 Swedish melodic hard rockers Art Nation has been on a roll releasing three albums and playing as much as they possibly could. With each album the band has gotten slightly bigger although not by much – which is unfair. This is a band that still dwells in the shadows of bands like H.E.A.T, Crazy Lixx and Dynazty despite making damn good records that surely equals the quality of most modern melodic Hard Rock groups. Add damn good musicians and a stellar voice in Alexander Strandell, also the singer of Crowne. It was now four years since the last album, the killer Transition, came out and with their fourth record out is about damn time rock-fans started to notice this lot. They sure do deserve it.
The album opens with the first single “Brutal & Beautiful”, a fast, punchy and metal-fueled hard rocker with a heavier edge. I can’t help but to think that Strandell’s work with his other band Crowne has rubbed off on Art Nation because I don’t think I’ve heard them be this much Metal before. Still it’s a melodic track full of infectious melodies and hooks and a big chorus that strikes hard right away. Very good. The metal edges continues in the fast paced “Last of The Burned”. This is an in-your-face kick-ass rocker with hard-hitting rhythms and fierce riffage. The keyboards brings on a slightly modern Metal vibe and so does the sing-along friendly chorus which makes me think about of Dynazty. But I like it. It’ll work well live.
The single “1001” slows the tempo down some but keeps the heavy approach. Some orchestrated keyboards gives the song a symphonic and pompous touch. The song is being carried by a beefy beat and holds a distinct rhythm structure while the guitar work is crunchy and robust with some addictive melodies on top where the massive chorus is the big winner. Great stuff. On a faster and straight ahead note “Fight Fire With Fire” brings on a flirt with Power Metal. The verses are a bit more held-back but still heavy but the chorus takes off with both speed and sing-along gang-vocals. It’s catchy enough but comes a bit too close to Power Metal for my taste.
Released as the second single “Echo” holds a slower tempo with an underlying darkness with a slightly symphonic atmosphere. The verses is a bit on the laid-back side which builds up to a big refrain that takes on a fast tempo and a more bouncy and punchy rhythm inside a bombastic soundscape where the melody-hook grabs a hold right away. Good one. More on the Melodic Rock side of things “Break Up” blends crunchy guitars and more pop-friendly keyboards. Big on poppy hooks and radio-friendly melodies the song is still heavy enough but not as heavy as the previous tunes. It holds a catchy as hell chorus and why this isn’t a single is beyond me. Very, very good.
On a ballsy and muscular rhythm, “Light The Fire” comes on strong on a heavy and slow note and is big on both rough-edged guitars and fat keyboards. It holds a bluesy undertone but also some 80’s flirting melodies especially in the big chorus that brings on a sharp hook that etches itself to the brain. A great tune. “The Legend Reborn” is one powerful number, also slightly more modern with beefy metal-twists in a slower tempo. It holds a tough, pumping bassline, a chunky guitar riff and a darker atmosphere but also some distinct vocal melodies and a huge chorus that’s catchy without being hit-searching. This is very good.
Heavy Metal meets Melodic Rock and AOR in the ballsy and kicking “Somewhere I Know I Belong”. It’s heavy with smattering kick-drums, pumping basslines and chuggy guitars which rub shoulders with distinct and melodic hook-lines, big keyboards and a splendid refrain. Good one. “Superman” starts out held-back and orchestrated with only vocals and a symphonic keyboard. The song takes on a fatter and heavier approach while keeping the grandiose soundscape and also brings on pop-melodies and has a chorus with arrangements borrowed from modern Pop – and it works like a charm. Very good. Closing track “Powerless” is anything but that. Slower in tempo, the tune is a heavy powerhouse on a bouncy stomp and a meaty keyboard with energetic, crunchy guitars. It’s a driven hard-rocker with big Melodic Rock hooky melodies and a damn catchy yet not hit-searching chorus that hits right where it should. Brilliant.
It’s safe to say that Art Nation has once again released a real banger. The new album is probably their heaviest effort to date and is more metal-driven where some songs makes me think of Crowne and sometimes Dynazty while keeping the band’s identity intact. Strandell has an impressive voice with a broad range and he becomes more self confident and cockier as a vocalist with each album. Every performance on here is faultless and the band is tight with no bad songs in sight. The only remark I have is on the production which isn’t bad but a bit too clean and sterile but I guess that’s the way many, many album sounds today. Other than that, a stellar release from a band that should be lots bigger than they are.
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Tracklist:
1. Brutal & Beautiful
2. Last Of The Burned
3. 1001
4. Fight Fire With Fire
5. Echo
6. Break Up
7. Light The Fire
8. The Legend Reborn
9. Somewhere I Know I Belong
10. Superman
11. Powerless
CD & Festival reviews 