THE FORCE – Stone Cold (2012)
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THE FORCE was formed in 2002 by British guitarist Mark Elliott and German drummer Hanns Haurein who both live in Switzerland. They meet up with the Swiss bassist and keyboardist Beat Schaub and the line-up was completed.
“Stone Cold” is the band’s 4th album, a strong blues-infused Classic Hard Rock CD.
The Force owns an energetic, genuine handmade bluesy Hard Rock sound driven by fat guitar-riffs, melodious vocals and a precisely working rhythm-section.
There could have been no more ideal opener than “Ride”. You will be totally awake in the morning by listening to this song on your way to your work or on a pleasure ride with your Harley bike. Elliott has the perfect voice for this kind of stuff that recalls Dave Meniketti (Y&T) in places, and he can play melting guitar solos as well.
Next, “Givin’ It Up” blast your ears with a deep bass groove, super drum beats and fast guitars, followed by the Hendrix inspired hard rocker “All I Need” fueled by Elliott devilish slide-solos. This man is really good at his game.
The catchy (cowbell included) “Run, Run, Run” is a jumpin’ commercial rock’n roller where the band sounds more contemporary yet firmly blues based.
The highlight on the CD arrives with “Black Rain”. It starts slowy with clean guitars and a cadence reminding earlier Scorpions, then at the end and after a killer solo, the tempo accelerates into a driving classic tune complete with Hammond B3 keys. Awesome track.
Talking about classic stylings, “This Time Your Turn” transports you to the seventies with a Montrose vibe yet with an updated sound.
Elliott sings “Call Me A Doctor” with fire over a venomous rhythm, this is Classic Rock people, and a good one.
Title track is a bluesy, groovy monster rocker, and then “Broken Machine” invites you to ride your Harley again. “Cry” will make tear your stereo indeed, again resembling Y&T. Power track with lots of melody.
Last song “New Day” ends the CD with a deep uptempo groove, a truly good instrumental tune with great feeling that makes you want to see this band alive.
Almost unknown outside central Europe, The Force is an awesome bluesy Hard Rock trio delivering a hot performance through the twelve tracks in “Stone Cold”.
This is a polished and tightly played collection of tracks, plenty of power yet very melodic. Don’t expect a dirty approach or grit here, this is a quite harmonic, slick material.
These guys – and specially British singer/guitarist Mark Elliott – are tremendous musicians who not only have learned the Classic Rock book by heart, also add to their traditional bluesy hard style a personal touch with a dynamic sound.
Production is darn good, vital and clear.
Don’t miss this one, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
01. Ride
02. Givin’ It Up
03. All I Need
04. Run, Run, Run
05. Black Rain
06. This Time Your Turn
07. Call Me A Doctor
08. Stone Cold
09. Broken Machine
10. Cry
11. Only The Good Die Young
12. New Day
Mark Elliott – Vocals, Guitar
Beat Schaub – Bass
Hanns Haurein – Drums
Loovy – Keyboards
Peter Tanner – Vocals
BUY IT !
www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Cold/dp/B0096T14N8
