Leather lunged vocalist extraordinaire Jorn Lande returns for a quick follow-up to 2012's excellent Bring Heavy Rock Back to the Land with the equally impressive Traveller. When you stop and think about it though, Jorn (the singer, and the band) really has pumped out quite a few releases over the past decade, and this latest for Frontiers Records is another in a fine line of heavy rock & melodic metal for this band.
If anything, the music these guys have been cranking out the last few releases seems to be getting heavier and heavier. As with their previous CD, the band dishes out some crunchy, melodic metal here on Traveller, a perfect fit for anyone into Black Sabbath, Dio, Whitesnake, and Rainbow. "Overload" starts things off in fine fashion, with Lande's 'Dio-meets-Coverdale' styled vocal delivery soaring over some massive riff-o-rama from Trond Holter & Jimmy Iversen for a real catchy yet heavy track. The band does their play on Dio's "Holy Diver" riff for the angry "Cancer Demon", which features a snarling vocal from Lande. Holter really makes his presence felt here, as the Wig Wam guitarist lets loose on the furious yet catchy title track and the rampaging "Window Maker" with all sorts of screaming pinch harmonics and blazing leads. There's something so addicting about "Make Your Engine Scream", a metal anthem that has plenty going for it, including soaring vocals and 'screaming' guitar licks. "Legend Man" is another fist pumping anthem chock full of sizzling riffs, and despite the cliched lyrics, it's still a lot of fun. The guys blast into Black Sabbath territory on the doomy "Carry the Black", with Lande's vocal paying a fine tribute to Dio, and "Rev On" ups the ante with groove laden, speedy riffs and a memorable chorus. Just when you thought the band might slip in a mellower tune, they continue on with the metal assault on "Monsoon", and close out the album with the emotional, mystical "The Man Who Was King", as Lande pours his heart out to his fallen idol, Ronnie James Dio. This one is as good a tribute to the legendary vocalist as it gets folks, as the band crushes out the arrangements while Lande delivers a stunning vocal in tribute to the late, great Dio. I shouldn't forget to mention the tight, rock solid rhythm work from bassist Bernt Jansen & drummer Willy Bendicksen, who do a fine job throughout Traveller.
As with all Frontiers releases, this one comes with eye catching artwork, lyrics, and photos, and the production & engineering courtesy of Lande, Holter, Tommy Hansen, and Espen Mjoen is top notch. Traveller just might be the heaviest Jorn outing to date, but it's still melodic and filled with memorable songs. Why this guy isn't a superstar at this point is mind boggling.
Track Listing
1) Overload
2) Cancer Demon
3) Traveller
4) Window Maker
5) Make Your Engine Scream
6) Legend Man
7) Carry the Black
8) Rev On
9) Monsoon
10) The Who Was King
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