OSUKARU – Never Too Late EP (2011)

Gothenburg, Sweden based AOR band Osukaru was formed by ex Eye guitarist Oskar ‘Oz Osukaru’ Petersson.
The group made their debut last year – already presented in 0dayrock – with the album ‘GBG2LA’ (Gothenburg to Los Angeles). It was a nice AOR/Rock album with good songs, but Oz Osukaru wasn’t completely happy with the singer and the production needed some more work.

Now Osukaru are back with a six-track EP called “Never Too Late” with new line-up, featuring a new singer named Carl “CJ” Johan that has given Osukaru a fresh air taking the band to a new level.
The ex Seven Tears and Platitude keyboard player Kristofer Von Wachenfeldt has also joined the band and delivers stunning keyboards.
Yes, everything is a lot better on this new offer, the songs, vocals and production gives this album a strong AOR sound.

Just listen the silky smooth title track “Never Too Late”, reminds of Alias meets Bad English with wonderful melodies and the lovely Neal Schon sounding guitars.
The H.e.a.t sounding “City Lights” is a fantastic AOR-rocker with a perfect mixture of guitars and keyboards and the chorus will hook you up.
“Whatever It Takes” is filled with layers of keyboards and takes you back to the glory days of AOR with bands such as Signal, Alias and Tyketto in mind and it’s filled with catchy hooklines.
Then, there’s a new 2011 version of “Driven By Love” that was on the first EP, but this time around it sounds a lot better, a Journey-esque song with wonderful new keyboard arrangements.
As bonus are included a Radio Edit version of “City Lights” and a karaoke version of “Never Too Late”, both from the forthcoming full-length album to be released this year.

Osukaru is definitely a new force to be reckoned with when it comes to high class Swedish AOR.
New vocalist Carl Johan has the perfect pipes for this kind of material sounding like Freddy Curci (Alias) mixed with Kenny Leckermo (ex-H.e.a.t) and veteran keyboardist / vocalist Kristofer Von Wachenfeldt adds class.
Together with the awarded Los Angeles born drummer Ryan Coyle precise beats, Oskar Petersson offers a great battery of melodic guitar sounds.
Osukaru has found the right road to follow and this new EP promises big things for the full-length album ‘Salvation’ that will be released in August. So if you have any doubts about this band after the debut I can assure you that this new one won’t let you down.
Thumps up.

1 – Never Too Late
2 – City Lights
3 – Whatever It Takes
4 – Driven By Love (2011 version)
5 – City Lights (Radio Edit)
6 – Never Too Late (Karaoke Version)

Oz Osukaru: guitars, backing vocals
Ryan Coyle: drums
Carl “CJ” Johan: vocals
Emma Lee Gunnari: bass
Kristofer Von Wachenfeldt: keyboards

www.osukarutheband.com
IF YOU LIKE IT, BUY IT!