THE RAGGED SAINTS – The Sound Of Breaking Free (2013)
*
Almost coming out of the blue, with discrete promotion and released by a small record company, “The Sound Of Breaking Free” is the impressive debut CD by the Helsinki, Finland based melodic hard rockers THE RAGGED SAINTS.
Fronted by talented vocalist Markku Kuikka who also sings in prog-metallers Status Minor (their very good 2nd album was presented here last year), The Ragged Saints are a completely different beast.
This is a band clearly rooted in ’80s Melodic Hard Rock in the very traditional side of the genre also with a rocking AOR scent impregnated into their music with influences ranging from Whitesnake, Bad Habit and Pretty Maids to Europe.
The music in “The Sound Of Breaking Free” is timeless but the sound mix crafted by Nino Laurenne (Thunderstone) is modern and updated, however the original feeling is still here, and the playing is solid, organic and true as the guys in The Ragged Saints are a team of trained players with many years of underground rocking experience under their belt.
The Saints definitely understand the genre: strong riffs, beefy rhythm section and zippy leads wrapped in melodic hooks and strong vocal harmonies. Markku Kuikka has an amazing voice and a terrific mid-range, sustained by effective and catchy backing vocals arrangements.
We have moving melodic hard rockers like title track “The Sound Of Breaking Free” driven by a great hook in the refrain and some sharp guitar work, the catchy “A Place Where I Belong”, the dynamic Whitesnake-like circa ’89 numbers “I’ll Never Give Up On Love” or “New Beginnings” and the Swedish sounding “While The World Is Burning”.
All are balanced by more AOR, arena anthem-feel cuts such as the soaring “Don’t Let Me Go”, the Denander inspired mid-tempo “We Are The Same” and the contagious “The End”, songs still with punchy guitar riffs but smoothing by discreet keyboards arrangements that reveal a solid potential in easy listening, instant sing-along and catchy choruses with always a mature touch.
Coming out from nowhere – well, in fact, from Finland, so you can expect quality rock – The Ragged Saints is one of the surprises of the year. “The Sound Of Breaking Free” is just a damn fine debut with a bunch of great songs in the good, old European Melodic Hard Rock fashion way but with a modern & vibrant production.
It’s that kind of releases that sadly will pass unnoticed by many rockers world wide due its limited promotion, but I assure you they are really, really good.
If you’re a true Melodic Hard Rock fan you should check them out pronto.
Very Recommended.
01. The Sound Of Breaking Free
02. A Place Where I Belong
03. Don’t Let Me Go
04. I’ll Never Give Up On Love
05. Love Won’t Fade Away
06. We Are The Same
07. While The World Is Burning
08. New Beginnings
09. Never Walk Away
10. Before Time Goes By
11. The End
Markku Kuikka (Vocals)
Tomi Julkunen (Guitars)
Toni Bite (Guitars)
Jukka Hoffrén (Bass)
Miikki Kunttu (Drums)
BUY IT !
www.recordshopx.com/artist/ragged_saints/sound_of_breaking_free
.
