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State Of Salazar: Superhero
State Of Salazar - Superhero Music Review

State Of Salazar: Superhero

Melodic Hard Rock/AOR
3.5/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Released: 07.12.2018
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 13.12.2018

December is the holiday for AOR overload from Frontiers Music. The classic rock label has dropped new albums from Magic Dance, Palace, and, third time being the charm, the latest from State Of Salazar, Superhero. The (former?) students from Malmo Academy of Music return four years after their debut album, All The Way, with a new keyboard player Kevin Hosford, who aids Marcus Nygren on lead vocals.

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State Of Salazar

In the most basic sense, Superhero is simply deja vu, a familiar recollection of State Of Salazar's first album, All The Way. Their sound remains unmistakably Seventies to Eighties AOR melodic rock with strong references to Toto and Survivor, among others. Yet the most obvious reference is Marcus Nygren's voice which has an unmistakable Bobby Kimball timbre. Alternatively, keyboard player Kevin Honored does not. Yet in the context of the tunes, I'm not sure you'd notice any difference, let alone the switch of singers. So pay attention.

Musically speaking then, nothing really much has changed for State Of Salazar. You can expect the usual AOR melodic rock suspects including large melodies and vocal harmonies, vibrant guitar solos, and a proper amount of keyboards for atmosphere and accent. Of course, catchy hooks in lyrics and arrangements abound, especially in the choruses. Yet, with these positive attributes, I find State Of Salazar's tunes kind of numb and plodding. But, personally, I've never been a large fan of either Toto, Bobby Kimball, or their overall musical flavor. Songs like Rosanna and Africa still make me cringe. Nevertheless, some songs have merit simply for their parts. Tunes such as Masquerade and Love Will Find A Way have delightful piano lines. And the latter song has a bit of saxophone for accent. With Lie To Me, you're introduced to a fine AOR ballad which features the voice of Kristina Talajic. Also, true to classic AOR form, all tunes feature some large and stirring guitar solos from Johan Thuresson.

In the end, the musical essence of State Of Salazar turns mostly upon echoing the Toto sound with Marcus Nygren channeling the voice of Bobby Kimball. I'm hardly a fan of either, but State Of Salazar could do worse. They could be merely a Toto cover band. If you're a fan and liked their first album, you will definitely enjoy Superhero.


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The Bottom Line

In the end, the musical essence of State Of Salazar turns mostly upon echoing the Toto sound with Marcus Nygren channeling the voice of Bobby Kimball. I'm hardly a fan of either, but State Of Salazar could do worse. They could be merely a Toto cover band. If you're a fan and liked their first album, you will definitely enjoy Superhero.

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