From Sweden comes Mårran, a new band formed in 2010 that sets its sights on the hard rock legends of the 1970's like Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Humble Pie, Grand Funk Railroad, Uriah Heep, and Whitesnake. The band is comprised of Morgan Korsmoe on bass(ex Larz Kristerz), guitarist Ludwig Larsson (ex Dynamite Sky), veteran singer Göran Edman (ex Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum & Vinnie Vincent) the legendary Björn "Binge" Inge on drums (ex November & Chuck Berry) and keyboard player Max Lorentz (ex Pugh, Ronander & Lundell). Their self titled debut is a hard hitting collection of songs dripping with that vintage feel, so expect plenty of swirling Hammond organ, biting guitar licks, heavy rhythms, and strong vocals.
The vocals actually are what presents the main problem with this CD. Goran Edman is well known to many hard rock and heavy metal fans through his many past associations over the last 20 years or so, and he's in fine form here. However, the band decided to record the entire album in Swedish, which is going to make it hard for the rest of the world to really appreciate all the good stuff going on here. Plenty of hard rockers to be found on the album, like the punchy Hammond & guitar attack of "Syster Blå" or the crisp rocker "Än sen", both of which recall classic Deep Purple. "Gärdesbrud" channels Purple, Free, and Led Zeppelin, and has some real thumping grooves to go along with that '70s swagger, and "Dina ögon är blå" is a must for Rolling Stones fans. I do have an issue with "Del av mitt liv", which blatantly rips off the guitar lick to the classic Free song "Mr. Big"...come on guys, you can do better than that.
As you make your way through this CD, you'll really, I mean really, want to get into all the good rocking and grooving that's going on, but then just as you want to sing along with Edman, you realize the language barrier they've presented to all the potential non-Swedish listeners and it just takes the life right out of it. A tune like "Sockerflicka" just prompts you to raise your fist in the air and 'air guitar' along, but the disappointment sets in when you just can't relate to what Goran is singing about.
All in all, this is a VERY solid debut, and a must hear for all you Hammond/guitar freaks who were raised on Blackmore & Lord, Box & Hensley, and the soulful vocals of Plant, Rodgers, Coverdale, Farner, Gillan, and Marriott. If they ever decide to re-release this with English vocals there will be a nice audience ready and waiting.
Track Listing
1
Än Sen
2
Folkvisa Från Helvetet
3
Syster Blå
4
Gärdesbrud
5
Del Av Mitt Liv
6
Dina Ögon Är Blå
7
Tänk Om
8
Sockerflicka
9
Med Lena
10
Ensamma Stränder
11
Gånglåt Från Zinken
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