Tag: Nordic union

When all melodic rock bands went into hibernation during the lean years of the 90’s, Mr. Big managed to keep it going, mainly due to the big love from Japan. It’s crazy to think that they have just called it quits with the release of their final album 10, and the subsequent farewell tour and live album.

This is the band’s third album, released back in ´93, and if I’m pushed, I would say this is my favourite. Very strong songs coupled with some killer playing makes this a must have album. When you kick off a record with a song as good as Colorado Bullfrog, you know it’s gonna be a good record. Ripping it up big time with a super fast groove and Paul Gilbert is giving it all the beans.

The cover of Free is classic Mr. Big and the inspiration for the band’s name, it is a great choice for a cover and they indeed do it justice. The cover of Wild World was released as a single and it is ok, but it doesn’t do a bunch for me. Yup, there are a couple of covers which I can forgive them for because they do them really well, but it’s the harder edged tracks that that they really shine at.

The Whole World Is Gonna Know is such a great song and Eric’s voice is just so good on this one. Other than the already mentioned Colorado Bullfrog, the track that really scratches that itch is the funky grooves of Temperamental.

Great record played by stellar musicians and a worthy addition to anyone’s collection.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

I always cringe when I see “a project built by Frontiers president Seragino Perugino,” as a credit in the bio of a band. I mean, the guy’s ego must by freakin’ huge, and they are certainly milking the talents of Erik Martensson. How many bands and projects is he involved in?

This, however, is one of those projects that is actually worth checking out because it’s really rather good. Nordic Union is a coming together of the aforementioned Mr. Martensson and Pretty Maids’ vocalist Ronnie Atkins. This is the latest offering in what has been three albums so far by the duo.

Melodic power metal is on the menu here folks, and there are only a couple of tunes that have that Eclipse vibe, the rest power along with double kicks pounding.  So many great tunes here including Every Waking Hour, On This Day I Fight, If I Could Fly, This Means War, and Animalistic. They’re all killer tunes with melody high on the agenda to back those crunching riffs and pounding grooves.

The only thing that bugs me is the fact that Frontiers crammed the 11 tracks onto a single disc, the sound quality is not the best. Anyhoo, a very enjoyable record.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.