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Jorn: Live in Black

Heavy Metal

3.5/5.0

Frontiers Records
Website Facebook MySpace
by Craig Hartranft,  08.15.2011

Jorn Lande is one Europe's most recognized and best metal vocalist, notable for his work with Masterplan, Avantasia, Ayreon, Ark, and many others. But he also has a significant and expansive solo career. Live in Black, recorded in June 2010 at the Sweden Rock Festival, displays a solid cross section of his ten year solo career in a live context. The package comes with two CDs and a DVD packed with 14 tunes, two extended guitar solos, and a drum solo. Bonus material includes videos for Song for Ronnie James and Man of the Dark. The live recording is reviewed here, since I have not received the DVD yet.

Foremost Live in Black is a quality recording, production and mix are well done. For his part, Jorn sounds strong, his vocal style imminent and persuasive. His crowd interaction is minimal, offering basic song introductions and some mild coaxing (with some not so mild expletives) for participation. His band is tight and, after one spin through, I was ready to say they upstage Jorn. But I'd like to see the DVD first. What's left is to name some top tracks. These include Shadow People, the ever popular We Brought the Angels Down, Man of the Dark, a more recent favorite Spirit Black, and Rock n Roll Angel. At the end of Man of the Dark, Jorn channels Ronnie James in tribute. Some songs felt flat like Below and Black Song. Nevertheless, fans should eat this this up: Jorn is at the top of his game on Live in Black. I'm hoping the DVD will be of similar caliber.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Jorn is at the top of his game on Live in Black; this is solid recording emphasizing his true metal vocal style.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]