Russell Allen / Jorn Lande
The Great Divide
Frontiers Music srl
2014
When the first Allen/Lande album, “The Battle”, came out in 2005, it took us all by storm indeed. The amazing performances between those talented and renowned vocalists… along with Magnus Carlsson’s remarkable songwriting and production brought that album among the top of that year. The other two albums never reached the brilliance of the debut, and after the 2010 release, I thought that this project was over at last.
Thankfully, I was 100% wrong, as it was proven afterwards and the Allen/Lande project is here again renewed and very strong. The significant change on the project is the man behind the music and the production. This time the “keys” were given to the eminent Timo Tolkki (ex-Stratovarius). Were I to guess who the songwriter of this album is I would bet all my money on Timo as, in truth to be told, “The Great Divide” smells “Strato” from miles away. And, you know, I mean the old good Stratovarius and not today’s cover band. Timo uses his good old known techniques on this album and the final outcome is spectacular. At first, I was a bit afraid of what Timo was up to… since his latest album was a big letdown for me… but he is a talented guy, nonetheless, and he cannot go wrong for a second time in a row.
Russell Allen and Jorn Lande are also impressive! They sing their hearts out on every track! The chemistry between those two singers is unique even to this day. Right from the opener “Come & Dream with Me”, you get the message loud and clear. Sit down and enjoy the rest of your trip. “Down from the Mountain” is a heavy/power metaler with the known Timo/Strato formula. “In The Hands of Time” brings back sweet memories from Stratovarius (when they were great); “Solid Ground” has a more hard rockin’ flavor… while “Dream About Tomorrow” is also a Strato reminiscent… and what a hard & heavy rocker! “Hymn for the Fallen” will also remind you of Strato – especially that drum break about 30 secs after the beginning, which is repeated at the end of each refrain too. Very tasteful track on the whole. The homonymous track is a slow-tempo rocker with some very heartfelt performances from both Allen and Lande. Very atmospheric and imposing. “Reaching for the Stars” has an atmospheric heavy/power background along with a memorable refrain! Finally, “Bittersweet” is still a fantastic ballad even if it’s quite close musically to the magnificent “Master of Sorrow”! Moreover the production is heavy, tight and powerful.
Another objection is the pointless Savatage “copy-paste” intro along with a few other “music similarities” that “Lady of the Lake” has with “Edge of Thorns”. So why go and “rip-off” such a popular metal track?! Com’ on!!!
Maybe you’ll get more “heavy/power metal” on this album overall but that’s due to Timo and honestly I quite enjoyed it! After having listened to this album several times I can easily say that “The Great Divide” is a very good album in general, even though the band’s loyal followers would prefer Magnus to be in charge…
Thankfully, I was 100% wrong, as it was proven afterwards and the Allen/Lande project is here again renewed and very strong. The significant change on the project is the man behind the music and the production. This time the “keys” were given to the eminent Timo Tolkki (ex-Stratovarius). Were I to guess who the songwriter of this album is I would bet all my money on Timo as, in truth to be told, “The Great Divide” smells “Strato” from miles away. And, you know, I mean the old good Stratovarius and not today’s cover band. Timo uses his good old known techniques on this album and the final outcome is spectacular. At first, I was a bit afraid of what Timo was up to… since his latest album was a big letdown for me… but he is a talented guy, nonetheless, and he cannot go wrong for a second time in a row.
Russell Allen and Jorn Lande are also impressive! They sing their hearts out on every track! The chemistry between those two singers is unique even to this day. Right from the opener “Come & Dream with Me”, you get the message loud and clear. Sit down and enjoy the rest of your trip. “Down from the Mountain” is a heavy/power metaler with the known Timo/Strato formula. “In The Hands of Time” brings back sweet memories from Stratovarius (when they were great); “Solid Ground” has a more hard rockin’ flavor… while “Dream About Tomorrow” is also a Strato reminiscent… and what a hard & heavy rocker! “Hymn for the Fallen” will also remind you of Strato – especially that drum break about 30 secs after the beginning, which is repeated at the end of each refrain too. Very tasteful track on the whole. The homonymous track is a slow-tempo rocker with some very heartfelt performances from both Allen and Lande. Very atmospheric and imposing. “Reaching for the Stars” has an atmospheric heavy/power background along with a memorable refrain! Finally, “Bittersweet” is still a fantastic ballad even if it’s quite close musically to the magnificent “Master of Sorrow”! Moreover the production is heavy, tight and powerful.
Another objection is the pointless Savatage “copy-paste” intro along with a few other “music similarities” that “Lady of the Lake” has with “Edge of Thorns”. So why go and “rip-off” such a popular metal track?! Com’ on!!!
Maybe you’ll get more “heavy/power metal” on this album overall but that’s due to Timo and honestly I quite enjoyed it! After having listened to this album several times I can easily say that “The Great Divide” is a very good album in general, even though the band’s loyal followers would prefer Magnus to be in charge…