A sequel to a sequel. A fitting description of this little project, I think. It’s really based on the Allen-Lande project that released four albums on Frontiers Records between 2005 – 2014. The label wanted yet another one but Jorn Lande wasn’t interested so it was former Nightwish and current The Dark Element singer Anette Olzon who got the question to do it and she accepted. The dynamics is of course different but the song-structure felt familiar as it’s still Magnus Karlsson (Primal Fear) who’s responsible for the songs. The debut Worlds Apart (2020) was a better album than I had expected and a good enough success so that a follow-up would come out was really a no-brainer. Karlsson has been much of a quantity over quality song-writer in later years which means that the quality has varied quite a lot so I’m not really sure where my expectations lies on this album.
The opening title-track and also the first single is a heavy, hard, fast and quite aggressive metal-kicker with symphonic undertones. Allen takes holds of the rougher parts with Olzon handling the softer which suits their voices well and creates a palpable dynamic. It’s a bombastic tune where the big chorus slows down into a mid-paced tempo which allows the hooks to be more at front. This is really good. “So Quiet Here” starts out orchestrated but soon goes into a symphonic Metal soundscape. Both heavy and poppy, the song is more melodic than the opener and the chorus is a damn catchy one. Spontaneously, the tune feel more suited as a single than the title-track.
“Out Of Nowhere” bursts away heavy and hard with Allen gruffing away vocally. It’s a metal-blaster for sure, at least the verses. The tempo slows down in the chorus which has Anette going sweet and smooth with a musical-theatre touch in her vocals. The melodies are slick and appealing but the song just isn’t memorable enough. It’s ok though. “A Million Skies” is a pretty straight-forward symphonic meets neo-classical Metal number with some punchy and tough rhythms and fat riffage. It’s slower in tempo with a slight pomp-touch inserted with a Melodic Rock twist in the chorus. It’s a pretty good song but it doesn’t leave a lasting impression.
“Carved Into Stone” opens with a gothic sounding intro but goes on into a muscular symphonic Metal tune not a far cry from The Dark Element. It’s pretty much a straight ahead type rocker with glistening melodies and hooky as damn vocal-melodies and the couple’s voices blends brilliantly here. Very good. Second single “All Alone” opens with a quiet piano piece but soon brings on some gritty and edgy riffing over a punchy drum pattern. There’s a nice contrast between the chuggy guitars, the slower pace and the poppy melodies and the chorus is catchy enough. It’s close to a power ballad but not quite. Still, as a whole it turns out only ok as the tune fails to really grab me.
“Look At Me” is a firey and crunchy metal-rocker with smattering drums and edgy guitars – very in-your-face and hard-hitting. A low-key passage with only vocals and a piano works as a pre-chorus before the chorus hits in a distinct and fast yet poppy way with a great deal of catchiness involved. A good tune indeed. Melodic Rock and symphonic Metal meets in the smoother structured “Until It’s Over”. It’s a pretty streamlined and radio-friendly rocker with a big AOR-laden refrain that throws a nod back to the 80’s. Pretty good. The moody “I Am Gone” is a metal-fueled Melodic Rock break-up song. It’s pretty heavy and holds a rowdy riff, pompy keyboards, a steady rhythm and some smooth vocal-melodies on top. The chorus is good but as a whole just a decent song.
“Are We Really Strangers” is an upbeat and bouncy tune that dwells in borderlands of Hard Rock and Metal. It’s a rhythmic and pretty edgy number with striking verses. The pre-chorus takes the tempo down just a notch only to kick up some dust and throw hooks around when the big, Melodic Rock flirting chorus comes around. Good one. The closing track “Never Too Late” starts out in mid tempo with orchestrated symphonic arrangements and some more pomp-laden touches but soon turns into a fast and quite aggressive metal-piece. The chorus changes structure a bit as it’s slower and with a bigger Melodic Rock vibe with a smooth vocal-melody and catchy hook. Very good indeed.
As a whole this album doesn’t reach the highs of the debut. The songs just aren’t as strong and it’s not as varied. The songs are too much alike both in arrangements and song structure and all the way through it’s Allen who takes the harder, edgier vocal-parts with Olzon holding the more melodic and smooth ones. That said, Allen and Olzon harmonizes well and their voices works so well together – the contrasts creates a working dynamic which actually lifts some of the more mundane and lukewarm tracks. There are some really good songs here but most of them doesn’t remain when the album is done.
5/10
More Allen/Olzon reviews:
Tracklist:
1. Army Of Dreamers
2. So Quiet Here
3. Out Of Nowhere
4. A Million Skies
5. Carved Into Stone
6. All Alone
7. Look At Me
8. Until It’s Over
9. I Am Gone
10. Are We Really Strangers
11. Never Too Late
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