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Diamond Dawn: Overdrive
Diamond Dawn: Overdrive
Melodic Hard Rock/AOR
4.0/5.0
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Frontiers Records
by Craig Hartranft, 02.13.2013
Sweden's Diamond Dawn wears their influences on their collective sleeves. Their debut album, Overdrive, is pure and uncompromising classic melodic hard rock in the best Eighties AOR style.
Diamond Dawn:: Eighties deja vu.
While that Eighties rock style may be the larger canvas, Diamond Dawn sounds, at times, like a cross between Toto and Survivor, especially on Take Me Higher, Don't Walk Away, or Into Overdrive. Yet, generally, the band works the fundamentals: clear and melodic vocal arrangements, hooks in both composition and choruses, strong lead guitar lines, fervent rhythm section, and a nice layer synths.
Video:: Take Me Higher (Official).
It seems strange coming from a band that were likely mere toddlers back in the day. They must have been raised on their parents' record collection. Nevertheless, Overdrive sounds great and Diamond Dawn nails the classic rock genre with class, attitude, and energy. Those aforementioned tunes are representative, then add Cryin' and Standing As One as stand out pieces. However, the signature big Eighties style rocker is likely Turn It Up. I wouldn't be surprised if this would be their next video. Diamond Dawn's Overdrive is easily recommended to fans of classic AOR melodic hard rock.
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Diamond Dawn's Overdrive is easily recommended to fans of classic AOR melodic hard rock.
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