THE GRAND MASQUERADE – MMXVI (2016)
There’s a new promising AOR / Melodic Rock beast coming from Sweden; THE GRAND MASQUERADE, a 4-piece band is based in Stockholm presenting their debut ep “MMXVI” (2016 in Roman numerals).
Do not be pushed-off byt the band’s chosen image combining ’80s rock culture with the Venetian opera and masquerade scene from the late 19th century. Their music is a great mix of classic AOR with a twist.
The Grand Masquerade started out as a studio project by guitarist John Sebastian seemingly as it was just another project, but he had much bigger plans for it. He pulled a band together by contacting his childhood friend Freddy Claye, whom he had played with before, and also his friend and classmate Ivve Danelli (vocalist in Pretty Wild). The trio was in need of a drummer and Ivve knew about a guy called Martin Rhyder (ex drummer in Chains) whom he had met some years ago and had just started studying music production with.
John had an idea about a name for the group, a name which Ivve had used with another project but never got launched, The Grand Masquerade. Everyone thought it was a solid and good name and agreed on it.
The first time the quartet stepped into the rehearsal studio there was instant magic, everything just fell into place.
The band was almost complete; the only thing left to do was making an image, something exciting and different. Ideas had been forming in John’s head about bringing the Venetian opera and masquerade theme into the band to further enhance their name and image and so, The Grand Masquerade was complete and ready to take on the world.
The Grand Masquerade mention as influence bands like Kiss, Queen, Def Leppard among others, and you can hear some of it here. But all the awesome songs are very personal, with a classic Scandinavian AOR sound.
Damn, you can’t believe the quality of the 5 songs on offer here. Trust me, this is awesome material.
“By My Side” has a Brother Firetribe feeling blended with the great Jono, crowned by a terrific chorus. We have two lead vocalists in the band and all members contribute harmony vocals, resulting in delicious layers of melody.
“I Get This Feeling” has that pumping drive akin H.E.A.T (what a song!), the extremely melodic rocker ‘Those Days Are Gone’ brings to mind Casanova with a pinch of early Robby Valentine, ‘Say You’re Mine’ is a midtempo with a fantastic melody like a cross between Stage Dolls / Nelson, while ‘Live It Up’ ends the EP with an edge: the uptempo, catchy and highly commercial ‘Live It Up’.
Do yourself a favor and get this “MMXVI” from The Grand Masquerade immediately. This is one of the best things from a novel band I heard in the last ten years or so.
You’ll be surprised by the mature songwriting, the polished arrangements, the stupendous musicianship and the top notch – yes, read this again; TOP NOTCH – production.
AWESOME
1 – By My Side
2 – I Get This Feeling
3 – Those Days Are Gone
4 – Say You’re Mine
5 – Live It Up
Freddy Claye – Lead Vocals & Bass
Ivve Danelli – Lead Vocals & Guitar
Martin Rhyder – Backing Vocals & Drums
John Sebastian – Backing Vocals & Guitar
BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/Mmxvi-Grand-Masquerade/dp/B01KH2HPQW
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