Wonderworld
II
Key Music
2016
Wonderworld is a classic rock trio consisting of Roberto Tiranti (Labyrinth), Ken Ingwersen (Street Legal) and Tom Fossheim (Live Fire), who also happen to be the permanent backing band for Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep), under the name; Ken Hensley & Live Fire.
Obviously a sophomore album, this builds on these guys debut and is more refined and perfected an excellent amalgam of bluesy heavy rock, prog elements and soulful vocals that works to great effect. Tiranti, feels a lot more laid back with these type of vocals that allow his timbre to sign, sounding a lot like Glenn Hughes (which I obviously mean as a compliment) and the band also manages to create interesting compositions, like the bluesy but fairly straight forward and quite heavy “Forever is a Lie”.
“Remember My Words” brought to my mind something that Soto might have done, but immensely more refined and interesting, as Ken Ingwersen’s really a great guitarist, who can really make the best even out of a low tuned, minimal idea.
“Elements” is similarly “modernist” but it has a couple of really cool ass verses, where Tiranti sings incredibly emotionally over.
“It’s Not Over Yet” is yet another highlight, tinged with eastern melodies, during the intro which quite surprisingly lead into a powerful but laid back ballad, before they reappear an excellent melody arranged in an ingenious and quite unexpected way.
“Echo of My Thoughts” is so blues and heartwarming that almost brings a tear to the eye, with some excellent guitar licks by Ingwersen that lead on to an amazing solo that really lets him shine.
“Evil in Disguise” feels a little weird as it almost reminded me a bit of a more straight forward rockier thing that gets quite heavy, almost as if something that wouldn’t exactly feel amiss Virgin Steele’s “Life Among The Ruins” sort to speak, with even Tiranti going for vocals that are not to dissimilar to DeFeis’ crazy theatrical histrionics.
“Return to Life” doesn’t depart the hedonistic blues rock shades, but has a more soulful bridge/chorus.
“Memories” is a drifting bluesy and heavier affair that feels more focused, but also a bit uneasy with its heavier and gloomier air which is also permeating, most of the groove laden “In the End”.
Last but certainly not least, “Down the Line” is a beautiful, bluesy ballad that plugs in for its conclusion that’s as amazing as every other moment of it.
A really inspiring bunch of well-written tracks, with excellent performances that really show how it’s done to people who seem to have made a cookie cutter album industry following the departure of the Irish king of the white blues…
Obviously a sophomore album, this builds on these guys debut and is more refined and perfected an excellent amalgam of bluesy heavy rock, prog elements and soulful vocals that works to great effect. Tiranti, feels a lot more laid back with these type of vocals that allow his timbre to sign, sounding a lot like Glenn Hughes (which I obviously mean as a compliment) and the band also manages to create interesting compositions, like the bluesy but fairly straight forward and quite heavy “Forever is a Lie”.
“Remember My Words” brought to my mind something that Soto might have done, but immensely more refined and interesting, as Ken Ingwersen’s really a great guitarist, who can really make the best even out of a low tuned, minimal idea.
“Elements” is similarly “modernist” but it has a couple of really cool ass verses, where Tiranti sings incredibly emotionally over.
“It’s Not Over Yet” is yet another highlight, tinged with eastern melodies, during the intro which quite surprisingly lead into a powerful but laid back ballad, before they reappear an excellent melody arranged in an ingenious and quite unexpected way.
“Echo of My Thoughts” is so blues and heartwarming that almost brings a tear to the eye, with some excellent guitar licks by Ingwersen that lead on to an amazing solo that really lets him shine.
“Evil in Disguise” feels a little weird as it almost reminded me a bit of a more straight forward rockier thing that gets quite heavy, almost as if something that wouldn’t exactly feel amiss Virgin Steele’s “Life Among The Ruins” sort to speak, with even Tiranti going for vocals that are not to dissimilar to DeFeis’ crazy theatrical histrionics.
“Return to Life” doesn’t depart the hedonistic blues rock shades, but has a more soulful bridge/chorus.
“Memories” is a drifting bluesy and heavier affair that feels more focused, but also a bit uneasy with its heavier and gloomier air which is also permeating, most of the groove laden “In the End”.
Last but certainly not least, “Down the Line” is a beautiful, bluesy ballad that plugs in for its conclusion that’s as amazing as every other moment of it.
A really inspiring bunch of well-written tracks, with excellent performances that really show how it’s done to people who seem to have made a cookie cutter album industry following the departure of the Irish king of the white blues…