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Grand Design: V
Grand Design - V Art Work

Grand Design: V

Melodic Metal Rock
4.0/5.0

Going strong since 2006, Sweden's Grand Design has had a consistent string of releases, touring opportunities, and festival appearances. On the strength of 2018's Viva La Paradise, the band appeared at both Melodic Rock Festival USA and Scandinavia. Now Grand Design returns with their fifth studio album, appropriately titled, V.

Grand Design - Click For Larger Image

Grand Design

Essentially, the album is a continuation of their signature melodic metal rock. The songs feature the usual suspects: strong twin guitar harmony, impressive guitar solos, and plenty of rock rhythm groove from the rhythm section, with all tunes wrapped up in melody, fine vocal harmony, catchy refrains, and AOR accessibility. Band founder, producer, and lead vocalist Pelle Saether continues with his assertive and strong, yet clean and melodic, vocal presence. And his phonetic song titles.

Speaking to the songs, it's enough to say, if you like the aforementioned description or their previous album, you will not be disappointed in the least with this album. It's simply more of the same, and that's a good thing. But here's a few highlights. For some melodic metal with some rock groove listen to the sharp and heavy Right Away, Walkin' The Wire, or Gimme The Fire. Some true riff rockers come with I Dunno Wut To Say and The Warrior, yet both undergirded by plenty of rock groove. There really aren't any ballads here, but Grand Design dials it down for more AOR melodic hard rock with Take Me To Yer Heaven and What Are U Waiting For. All in all, V finds Grand Design at their most consistent and best, delivering another album of melodic metal rock. Recommended.


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The Bottom Line

All in all, V finds Grand Design at their most consistent and best, delivering another album of melodic metal rock. Recommended.

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