On disc: Grand Illusion

 
 Brand New World
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Prince Of Paupers
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 

Prince Of Paupers

(AOR Heaven - 2011)



 
 

 

The Swedish outfit Grand Illusion started to release albums in 2001 and Prince Of Paupers is their 6th album. In 2005 they put the band on hold and just returned last year with Brand New World. Singers Peter Sundell and Per Svensson share vocal duties while Anders Rydholm is playing keyboard, rhythm and bass guitar. The threesome hooked up with others to made this one shine, so is Steve Lukather playing the solo at So Faraway. But he's just one of the guys they hooked up with incl. drummer Greg Bisonette. And not just Greg Bissonette gives the songs a heavy edge, the guitars are both heavy and melodic.



They kick off with Gates Of Fire, a symphonic, slightly bombastic tune with raspy vocals. The tune Better Believe It has a Toto-ish touch... A radio-friendly tune which in the US should easily get airplay. A catchy tune you soon start singing along. The title track is a bombast rocker with a catchy hook - and reminds me a bit of Styx. The guitar solo was added by Muris Varajic. So Faraway and St. Teresa's Love are beautiful melodic rock songs, and the vocals are touching. Okay, some will say this sounds too 80's, but actually I don't care! I simply enjoy the songs. A touching, balladesque opening offers Believe In Miracles, then it becomes a power ballad with big backings and a bombastic edge. At On And On heavy riffs are combined with bombastic keyboard sounds, but this up-tempo rocker is truly uplifting! This time Tim Pierce is playing the guitar solo.



I really enjoyed Prince Of Paupers and it will get more spins, that's for sure. So, if you like good melodic rock / AOR, then check out Prince Of Paupers! Any 2 songs can win you over!

 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
up 













Brand New World

(AOR Heaven - 2010)



 
 

 

After a long break Grand Illusion are back! It took them more then 4 years to reunite, actually it's guitarist / keyboardist Anders Rydholm and the singers Peter Sundell and Per Sevensson. On Brand New World they welcome some guests... Drummer Gregg Bissonette and the guitarists Tim Pierce, Danny Jacobs, Mike Slamer, Roger Ljunggren and Kjell Klaesson.

The Swedish melodic rockers kick off with Never Find Her Alone, a balladesque rocker with a catchy hook. A bit late 80's-like, but with enchanting vocals this one will soon win you over. Partly they add some heaviness and are more melodic metal then hard rock. Great opener.

With All Out Of Love they offer another melodic rocker, this time with a metallic edge. With the up-tempo rocker 157th Breakdown they show a different facet - and spice up the song with a dash of Queen. For Emily they slow down, a nice ballad. The next 2 tracks are fast rockers, but I'm Alive and Burning Bed don't stand out. Not bad, but nothing special either. The title track Brand New World is a mid-paced track with great vocal parts and backings. One of the highlights. Another one is next in line - Evil And Pain. Powerful, melodic and touching! After the party rocker Warning Signs they offer Playing With Fire which is a quite typical 80's melodic metal tune, but peppered up with some progressive elements. Sacrifice is a up-tempo balladesque rocker with a great vocal performance! Some passages remind me of Asia, just a bit heavier. Last, but not least Forever With You, a ballad with a symphonic touch. Stripped down to piano, vocals and partly violins for about 3 minutes, then the song becomes a balladesque melodic metal tune. Well done.

The Swedish trio - and their guests - deliver a more then decent album. The excellent vocal performance of Sundell and Svensson makes it a pleasure to listen to Brand New World.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
up 







 
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