reece kronlund solid

Released: 27 June 2011 Label: AOR Heaven

Being in a steady musical commitment already, David Reece and Martin Kronlund have branched out, taken their relationship one step further, stopped off at the AOR Heaven pit-stop and spawned their latest release Solid.

For the establishing shot of the album we have My Angel Wears White. With its catchy opening of clockwork riffs and its flexi fingered solo, the song is a display of teamwork at its best! A very tasty appetiser for an album!

Next to face the judge is Samurai. Again as soon as the lead guitar kicks in, you can tell what language this is speaking. The song may be called Samurai but it speaks fluent melodic metal. Yet again Kronlund doesn’t hold back in showing what a guitar is made for, mixed with the husky vocals of Reece it is a concrete match!

If the title Animals and Cannibals doesn’t reek of metal I don’t know what does; a suitable title since this song is probably one of the heaviest on the album. Still no complaints though! It’s the song which has the most drive behind it. It’s one of those ‘ripped sleeved music t-shirt and record player songs’. Yes, I said record player!

The most puzzling piece of this album is track seven I Would. It almost wipes out the album and starts a new genre of its own. It’s more ‘ballady’, with a tinge of ‘pop rock’. It’s a kind of ‘where the hell did that come from?’ song. They are exposing every scrap of versatility available since the song sounds like it’s by a different band. Yes melodically and technically its mechanisms are top notch so you can’t knock it.

Speaking of versatility Magic Pudding would fit in the same category of ‘where did that come from?’ It’s a combination of blues, lusty rock and classic rock all stirred up and served up on a steamy plate; or to cut a long story short, it will seduce you straight away!

To send us on our way, the album goes back to its heavier roots with The Dead Shall Walk the Earth. Well the title says it all but this is one hell of a ‘goodbye’ song! Put it this way, if there was ever a lovechild between Judas Priest and Iron Maiden this song would be their first born! The solo itself is simply an eye closer and it’s a very much ‘be quiet this is the best part of the song’ song!

All I can say is let’s hope they give birth to another album. It’s the musical equivalent of yoga due to its versatility. Solid is a brilliant fitting title because after hearing this album, you’d think Reece and Kronlund should be welded at the hip!

by Kathryn Longbottom