On disc: The Order

 
 Metal Casino
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Rockwolf
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 1986
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 

1986

(Massacre Records - 2012)



 
 

 

Swiss rockers The Order are back with a new album, it's called 1986 and they kick off with The Power Of Love. The foursome take us back to the mid-80s, you get 10 tracks which sound like they are from the 80's but with a nowadays production. Long Live Rock'n'Roll would have got a lot airplay back in the days... For Generation White Line they add some heaviness and the heavy riffs cross the line to heavy metal... The song has a Kiss-edge peppered up with a dash of Mötley Crüe. The fast Lonely Nights is reminding me a bit of Riot.... After a short visit to melodic metal 80s style they return to 80's hard rock with Fire It Up. The ballad Under The Rain shows their soft side, but it sounds quite familiar. I think it would be much stronger in an acoustic version... Damn Hot Chick is like a mix of David Lee Roth and Mötley Crüe (Girls, Girls, Girls era), but Gianni's voice gives it a rough edge. The next tracks aren't offering something new, but somehow Dreaming Hollywood is sticking out. The closer is another up-tempo track with sharp riffs and it's called Stop Lying In The Name Of Love, a song where Gianni can show off all his power.



Okay, The Order didn't present something new, but there are still a lot of fans of 80's hard rock out there and they shall dig 1986!

 
 













Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Rockwolf

(Dockyard 2 - 2009)



 
 

 

The Order is presenting their 3rd album which is called Rockwolf. The foursome is again offering some 80's heavy metal, so don't expect something new! But their heavy metal is powerful, emotional and pure fun. They open up with the fast rocker Sex, Drugs & Rock'n'Roll. The following tune Love Ain't A Game To Play has a lot of the late 80's glam metal, but the heavy riffs and Gianni Pontillo's voice make this differ from a lot stuff being released back then. A catchy rocker is On And On - and quite enjoyable. They slow down a bit more for Endlessly, a balladesque rocker. A stomping rocker is Angel In Disguise, guitar-driven and with a catchy refrain. The backing vocals take off the edge a bit. With Reorder The Disorder they go metal! A fast metal tune with a catchy hook. And even a dash of aggression! More of this stuff! Unfortunately this is the heaviest track on Rockwolf, and again Bruno Spring's guitar play sticks out. With Miss Paradise they have a pop rock tune which might get some rock radio airplay on the album, but somehow this didn't get me... Luckily they start to rock again! Rockwolf is a heavy rocker and this one shows again what The Order is all about. The title track really represents the album! Last, but not least you get a cover version of the Duran Duran hit Wild Boys! The Swiss present a rock version of this smash hit - and I confess that I always liked this song -, and so I like the rock version even more. For the ones who did hate the Duran Duran song, give it a try - and perhaps you'll like this version...

I like this kind of music still and to be honest what makes me listening to The Order and not picking up some old CD is Gianni Pontillo's vocals. The songs are well written and performed, but Pontillo is ennobling them with his vocals. So, everybody who still enjoys this kind of music and isn't looking for the next big thing (sound-wise), should check them out!
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Metal Casino

(Dockyard 1 - 2007)



 
 

 

Some might remember their names, coz 3 guys of The Order are playing together for about 20 years, even if the band name changed and its been with different singers. But with Pure Inc-singer Gianni Pontillo they teamed up for The Order and are now presenting their 2nd album - Metal Casino!

Their debut has some modern metal influences, but this time to put everything on one card - so to speak - on hard rock! Welcome To The Metal Casino is a short intro and leads into Mama, I Love Rock'n'Roll. This is classic hard rock with power, melody and the extra-ordinary voice of Gianni Pontillo. Songs like Satisfaction are pure fun and with Metal Casino the four-some deliver an album in the vein of bands like Krokus, China and even Gotthard - to stick to the Swiss bands. With Bridges Burning they speed up a bit and present a heavy, guitar-driven tune. But didn't hard rock bands do the best ballads? Yes, they do! And with My Last Goodbye the Swiss deliver a touching ballad. Catchy and a bit melancholy... But still with some heavy riffs, even if its Gianni's voice which makes this one special. Another of my favorites is In The Heat Of The Lonely Night which starts slowly and becomes a mid-tempo rocker about a broken heart. On Let The Good Times Roll it is a bit Whitesnake-ish... Last, but not least another balladesque one... Little Wings which marks the end of the CD. A cool tune, but is not as touching as My Last Goodbye. At least part of the song. Actually you can pick any song and you won't be disappointed! The guys know how to write and perform a good song and on this album is no filler, only it's a bit short... But better short and killer songs, then a CD full of fillers, right? So, enjoy this one!

I would bet that live they really smoke! And not just Bridges Burning... They will put the house on fire live!
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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