COLDSPELL – A New World Arise (2017)
Since appearing in 2005, COLDSPELL has been one of my favorite Swedis bands. “A New World Arise” is the band’s fourth album, with what is quite a gap for them since their last record (2013). However, that extra time in between albums has allowed ColdSpell to hone their sound and create in “A New World Arise”, quite possibly their best album to date.
ColdSpell excel at riff-driven melodic hard rock, not dissimilar to Pretty Maids but with less keys.
Guitarist Michael Larsson is the main composer, and you can tell he’s a fan of big riffs, melodic leads, and like all great songwriters, it’s the song that matters most, not its separate pieces.
Opener ‘Forevermore’ is a testament to that idea with racing riffs, a massive chorus and as anyone who has ever heard ColdSpell, lead singer Niclas Svedentorp has a warm, effortless delivery that is all melody and strength. The freakin’ solo is amazing as well.
‘Call Of The Wild’ fair blast out of the speakers, delivering more polished monster riff and a memorable chorus. ‘Wait Until Tomorrow’ is another corker, mixing heaviness and melody in equal measure.
Quieter moments come along in the shape of ‘Signs’, another facet to the band’s abilities with acoustic guitar at the onset, and a composition that is more of a midtempo rocker, albeit it gets fuller during the chorus. In these moments, Svedentorp gets to shine, as his vocals are highlighted when the music breathes around him.
A song you may not have expected is ‘Love Me Like You Do’. It’s bluesy Hard Rock, like Thunder, older Whitesnake, or Badlands. As a stand-alone track, it’s killer. Musically, the band rips things up and you can hear they are loving taking this turn.
‘Wait Til Tomorrow’ goes back to what you’d expect from ColdSpell, but now that you’ve heard it, that sort of bluesy edge seeps back into Svedentorp’s vocals again. This track sounds akin to a Winger anthem, just those overpowering vocal melodies with intricate yet easily digestible songwriting. Again, Larsson brings the heat and melts everything with his solo.
‘A New World Arise’ closes things out, the album’s namesake. It’s the CD longest and most poignant song, quite elaborated and melodic.
ColdSpell isn’t only an underrated band. They quite honestly just create better music than 99 percent of what is being made today in any part of the world in the Melodic Hard category.
“A New World Arise” sounds fabulous, and it’s clear the attention to detail from arrangements to production. A record that should see ColdSpell gain further plaudits and fans with another album chock full of melodic hard rock delights.
VERY, HIGHLY Recommended
01 – Forevermore
02 – Call of the Wild
03 – It Hurts
04 – Miles Away
05 – Signs
06 – Love Me Like You Do
07 – This Is Me
08 – Get to the Top
09 – Wait Until Tomorrow
10 – Losing My Mind
11 – Just One Night
12 – A New World Arise
13 – Signs (Acoustic) [Bonus Track]
Niclas Svedentorp – lead vocals
Michael Larsson – guitars
Chris Goldsmith – bass
Per Johanson – drums
Guest Musicians:
Matti Eklund – keyboards
Jona Tee (H.E.A.T) – keyboards on 3 / 6 / 9
Ged Rylands (Tyketto, Rage Of Angels) – keyboards on 8 / 11
PRE ORDER:
www.amazon.de/New-World-Arise-Coldspell/dp/B074HVL8NP
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