SOULHEALER – Bear The Cross (2014)

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There’s much to be said about Finland’s SOULHEALER consistency and steady work ethic: since formed in Kajaani in 2009, the band has put out an EP and three full albums in a mere five years. The latest to be released tomorrow, Oct. 17, is “Bear The Cross“, another solid offering of classic melodic hard rock and metal.

You describe this album and Soulhealer’s sound as ‘stick with what you do best’ or ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ But this means let’s go for the good.
The band sticks with the fundamentals that makes classic, traditional melodic metal both entertaining and enduring: melody, harmony, twin lead guitars, clean vocals and a strong rock groove, all wrapped up in steady arrangements. It’s a formula that has worked well for Soulhealer, and the guys are truly good at it.
Perhaps the most impressive and consistent of these elements is the harmonious vocal and guitar arrangements and the spry dual lead guitar attack.
So if you are born ‘n raised listening this type of music “Bear The Cross” is easy to listen and enjoy with open arms.

My favourite track on this CD is “Blinded By The Light” where precise and melodic guitars are together with high class arrangements for the genre, bringing to mind Accept or Victory. The song – as most on this album – has a strong ’80s feel, creating atmospheres in a very traditional way.
Jori Kärki’s voice makes goosebumps in balsamic powerful singing and the melodious choir during the refrain is amazing. The leads are sharp, varied, but at the same time strangely unpretentious. You get the idea that neither Sami Mikkonen or Teemu Kuosmanen have the desire to show off or upstage each other or the rest of the band. It shows some true team work.

Title track “Bear The Cross” is catchy and with a memorable refrain, while calmer yet groovy sounds are in “Thorns In My Heart” which offers the smoothest vocal arrangements of all the songs, even though over that deeper sound.
Most of the numbers run at a moderate mid-tempo pace with a few, like “Unleash The Beast” or “Revealed”, becoming more assertive in their speed.

Soulhealer and “Bear The Cross” make classic metal fresh for the 21st century, and they’re really good at this game. These are carefully crafted songs, with incredible melody and solid musicianship.
Their lyrics and music could grab any ’80s metalhead’s heart. Every track is short, around 4 minutes and this benefits the strength of the material on offer in this very enjoyable album.
I’m sure that every fan of traditional melodic Heavy Metal with Hard Rock influences and a love of the ’80s will love this CD. Think about Accept, Fate, 220 Volt, Victory, Saxon, etc, all wrapped with a modern (and really good) production yet inspired in the classic era.
Quite Recommended.

01 – Unleash the Beast
02 – Bear the Cross
03 – The Journey Goes On
04 – Fall From Grace
05 – Dead Man Walking
06 – Thorns in My Heart
07 – The Viper’s Kiss
08 – Blinded by the Light
09 – Revealed
10 – Settle the Score

Jori Kärki – vocals
Sami Mikkonen – guitars
Teemu Kuosmanen – guitars, backing vocals
Pasi Laakkonen – bass
Jani Nyman – drums

PRE-ORDER:
www.puresteel-shop.com/SOULHEALER-Bear-The-Cross
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