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[ More Music Reviews ]

Grand Design: V

Melodic Metal Rock

4.0/5.0

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GMR Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 04.03.2020 | Released: 06.03.2020

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

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.

Shakra: Mad World

Melodic Heavy Metal Rock

4.5/5.0

Since the late Nineties, Swiss rockers Shakra have consistently released a new studio album about every two to three years. They're closely approaching the legendary ... [ Read More ]

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

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

Alphabetical Index

By far, Sweden's Eclipse is one of my favorite bands. Always consistent and always entertaining, Eclipse has been delivering their 21st century version of melodic metal rock since songwriter, producer ... [ Read More ]