CHOLANE – Caution! (2015)

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The origins of CHOLANE should be traced to 1992 in Hanover, Germany, where the band got a strong following and a promise of a major label debut. But their brand of Classic Hard Rock was eaten by the grunge and they have to fight to record their first album, appeared in 1997. Cholane continued rocking central Europe and a 2nd disc hit the streets in 2003.
Only with founder, lead vocalist and guitarist Jürgen Wulfes remaining from its original line-up, Cholane are back in 2015 with “Caution!“, their new CD.
The band always had two things that are considered essential pillars: a charismatic front man with a strong classy voice and really good songs. This has not changed to this day, fortunately.

Yes, “Caution!” – subtitled ‘Contains Loud Music‘ – indeed delivers that; traditional, powerful Hard Rock with an edge better enjoyed cranked to 10.

With a sound reminiscent of Victory, Saxon, Bonfire’s Strike Ten era, 220 Volt and at places, the harder version of Whitesnake, “Caution!” rocks. And Rocks really well.
Perhaps the latter comparison with the White Serpent comes to mind because Wulfes sometimes spread a vocal timbre similar to David Coverdale, and John Sykes too, as heard on”One Track Mind” and “Wicked Man”, one of the best songs here with a Blue Murder feel.
However, the rhythm guitars and solos have a special, traditional ‘German style’ all over (think ’80s material from Scorpions, Accept, Victory) and on some tracks the edge is increased, like on the razor and effective “Grow Old”.

But overall, “Caution!” transits the traditional Hard Rock avenue with melody and nice choruses.
The midtempo “Get Down” is anthemic and grooving, “Stop” sounds really British whith its double guitar attack, while “Alive” has a bluesy and melodious verses.
“Final Curtain” is the ballad, very classy, filled with pianos, orchestrated synths and deep lead vocals, then, garnished with cleaner guitars and a fine Hammond B3 organ, “Fading Away” flirts with AOR over a bluesy foundation.

Cholane has the sound, style and attitude of late ’80 early ’90s European Hard Rock, and they are darn fine at their game.
“Caution!” rocks hard out of your speakers, and while music-wise there’s nothing innovative, it’s really effective.
Wulfes and his guys don’t want to break any ground, they want to rock, and rock in the traditional Hard Rock style.
Mission accomplished.

01. Shake Your Bones
02. Wicked Man
03. Streets on Fire
04. Get Down
05. Stop
06. Deaf Dumb and Blinded
07. Grow Old
08. Final Curtain
09. Alive
10. Eternity
11. Highway
12. Fading Away
13. One Track Mind

Jürgen Wulfes – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Kai Steffen – Guitar
Niels Sörenhagen – Bass
Daniel Knop – Drums

BUY IT !
www.amazon.de/Caution-Cholane/dp/B00RKP914E
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