Jorn - Out To Every Nation


Year of Release: 2004
Label: AFM Records
Catalog Number: AFM 075-2
Format: CD
Total Time: 47:37:00

Jorn - Out To Every Nation (The End version)What do Millenium, Beyond Twilight, Ark, Nostradamus and Masterplan have in common? They all have used (or are still using) the vocal capabilities of a blonde Norwegian guy, who is often compared with David Coverdale and even Ronnie James Dio. Well, it has been a while since we heard anything from these two gentlemen, so, although nobody is waiting for a second Coverdale, I think a singer like Jorn Lande is quite welcome, as he has an awesome voice. Busy as he is with the recent Masterplan tour, he still found time to release another solo album, his third, called Out To Every Nation.

In case you expect a standard power metal album full with Lande's power vocals, Out To Every Nation might surprise you a bit. Yes, it is classic power metal, but for some reason I have the feeling Jorn is looking for the soul of his voice on this album, as he meddles with prog metal and even a bit of blues, but this makes the album a little more varied and nicer to listen to. He is supported by some excellent musicians: Jorn Viggo Lofstad (guitars), Stian Kristofferson (drums), both of Pagan's Mind, and Magnus Rosen (Hammerfall), who make sure the songs are filled with crunchy riffs and steaming drums and tasty bass lines.

The prog metal element makes a lot of the songs more accessible and might appeal to a great audience. But what's most important on the album is Jorn ... or rather ... his more than impressive vocals. Already in the beginning of the album, on the title track "Out To Every Nation" shows he can do more than sing powerful, as here he is singing in a more blues like style, in fairly catchy song. "Living With The Wolves" opens with keys by Ronny Tegner (yes, there are also keyboards used!), followed by an aggressive double bass and some great shredding by Viggo Lofstad. What I like here, but also on the entire album, is the rhythm section: it is very tight, despite coming from two different bands.

Jorn even included a ballad on the album, in the form of "Behind The Clown," with piano, drum rolls and yet another side of his voice. My personal highlight comes hereafter: "Rock Spirit," an extremely catchy song, with such stunning riffs and great drums. Catchy chorus ("Michael wants to rock ... all around the clock ... you can hear it down the block ... Michael learns to rock ...), that will stick in your head for days. Some crowd samples add to the power of this song and this one is really great to bully your neighbours by playing it at top volume! Jorn Viggo Lofstad is truly a fantastic guitar player, with great shredding, heavy riffs and stunning solos, as in this song, and I think the combination of the musicians with Jorn works out great!

What can I say? I truly love this album and have played it at top volume more than once. Who cares if his voice resembles David Coverdale? Nothing wrong there, especially since it has been pretty quiet around Coverdale for the past [few] years. Jorn has one of the greatest power vocals around, and albums like this give us the chance to enjoy them as much as we want to. In addition, the musicians he worked with are all extremely good and [make it] even more a pleasure to play this album. Just make sure you warn your neighbours ... Highly recommended.

Also released by The End Records (Cat. No.: 4075)

[This review originally appeared April 2004 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]


Tracklisting:
Young Forever / Out To Every Nation / Something Real / Living With Wolves / Vision Eyes / One Day We Will Put Out The Sun / Behind The Clown / Rock Spirit / Through Day And Night / When Angel Wings Were White / CD-ROM Track (The End version) Living With Wolfs

Musicians:
Jorn - vocals
Magnus Ros?n - bass
J?rn Viggo Lofstad - guitar
Stian Kristoffersen - drums
Ronny Tegner - keys

Discography:
Starfire (2000)
Worldchanger (2001)
Out To Every Nation (2004)
The Duke (2006)
The Gathering (2007)
Unlocking The Past (2007)
Live In America (2007)
Lonely Are The Brave (2008)
Spirit Black (2009)
Dukebox (2009)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin NO

Added: January 1st 2005
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.jornlande.com
Hits: 2550
Language: english

  

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