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Fullforce: One

Melodic Heavy Metal

4.0/5.0

SPV/Steamhammer
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by Craig Hartranft,  06.13.2011

The Fullforce debut, One, is an album that needs more than one spin to appreciate. Fullforce came to shape in 2009 with some Swedish metal heavyweights: Mike Andersson (Cloudscape, v), Stefan Elmgren (ex-Hammerfall, g), Anders Johansson (Hammerfall, d), CJ Grimmark (ex-Narnia, g) and Tommy Larsson (ex-Heed, b). Their music formula is melodic heavy metal.

Initially, one could easily consign One to rather typical Euro-metal. But that would be entirely reductionistic and nearly dismissive. Indeed, the Fullforce foundation is classic heavy metal, but they better the formula with bits of power metal and the hooks of hard rock. The first is heard in Mythomaniac, Wall of Secrets, and Bleed. However, those slight elements of brisk power metal are derivative or overbearing. Actually, Wall of Secrets has that hard rock hook with a dense and epic arrangement. Those melodic hard rock hooks erupt even more in None of Your Concern, Heart and Soul, and Rain. But that last song shows that Fullforce never abandons their heavy metal roots. Certainly, the brief Suffering in Silence is straight heavy metal. Then there's Oblivion and the closing number Into the Cradle which blurs genres and definition. It wouldn't be fair to call them 'metal ballads,' but with their steady progression and intensity they are definitely metal anthems.

I'm sure some will toss 'super group' around for Sweden's Fullforce. Certainly, the caliber of the personnel would suggest it. But, ultimately, Fullforce has achieved what they intended from the start: One is a solid, fresh, and entertaining approach to classic melodic heavy metal. Recommended.

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Fullforce has achieved what they intended from the start: One is a solid, fresh, and entertaining approach to classic melodic heavy metal.

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eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]