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November 2024

• Voodoo Circle: Hail To The King
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September 2024

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August 2024

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[ More Music Reviews ]

Jorn: Heavy Rock Radio II

Melodic Heavy Rock

4.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 16.01.2020 | Released: 24.01.2020

A few years back Ronnie James protégé Jorn Lande threw fans a bit of a curve ball by dropping a covers album, Heavy Rock Radio. Wherein Jorn picked some of his favorite songs, some rock, some otherwise, some well known, others not so much, and give them his signature heavy rock treatment. Call it a Jornification of sorts. Now the vocalist give us round deus, Heavy Rock Radio II - Executing The Classics.

Jorn Lande

Doing a covers album can be both promising and problematical. Going forward, the listener must remember that, while he probably had his fans in mind, it was Jorn that picked the songs. Songs which he likes and influenced him musically. So once more the song choices are a mixed bag of the familiar, b-sides, oddballs, and the unknown (or perhaps known mostly to fans).

But Jorn has also begun to establish a pattern. As with the previous album, he covers songs by Russ Ballard (Winning), Foreigner (Nightlife), Deep Purple (Bad Attitude) and, of course Ronnie James Dio (Mystery). Of the first three, the simple description is that Jorn and fellows make the songs heavier while still favoring the original arrangement. With the DIO song, Jorn is in his natural element. It's the best song here. Also there's a Eagles connection through Don Henley's New York Minute, which is decidedly murky and miserably plodding, making it my least favorite song here.

Additionally, Jorn covers Bryan Adams' Lonely Nights, kind of obscure, but still a hit. It simply sounds heavier. Then there's The Searchers Needles And Pins getting Jornified into heavy territory. Had to Google them and the song. They were suit and tie boy band from the Sixties. The song was actually covered previously, and successfully, by such diverse acts as Smokie Robinson, Cher, Tom Petty, and Ramones. Yeah, you read that right. Ramones. Go figure. Next is the obscure Eighties act Pages and I Do Believe In You. Look them up. Then Jorn makes heavy the Manfred Mann classic Quinn The Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn), but he kind twists up the lyrics. Finally, I'll mention Peter Gabriel's The Rhythm Of The Heat. But why? Never liked the artist or his music after he left Genesis. I can't listen to most anything he's done. Music too weird for me to understand. But, nevertheless, Jorn digs him, so it's all good.

All said, if you liked Jorn Lande's past heavy rock "Jornification" of classic and some surprising song picks, you will enjoy its sequel, Heavy Rock Radio II - Executing The Classics. You, the listener, will decide whether you like his interpretations. Recommended.

War Dogs: Die By My Sword

Traditional Heavy/Speed Metal

4.0/5.0

Formed a mere five years ago, War Dogs hails from Spain. It took two more years to settle into their current lineup, but they quickly dropped a self-titled debut ... [ 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.

If you liked Jorn Lande's past heavy rock "Jornification" of classic and some surprising song picks, you will enjoy its sequel, Heavy Rock Radio II - Executing The Classics. You, the listener, will decide whether you like his interpretations. Recommended.

Alphabetical Index

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 ]