COFFEINNE – Circle Of Time (2017)
“Circle Of Time” is the debut album from Spanish five-piece COFFEINNE presented in exclusive at 0dayrox. Readers of this blog will recognize singer Inaki Lazcano (frontman of melodic hard rockers AIRLESS) with a couple of albums featured in this blog.
COFFEINNE, however, adds strong parts of Euro melodic metal and some progressive into the mix, resulting into an explosive, rocking cocktail.
On “Circle Of Time”, COFFEINNE even adds some light power metal drumming here and there, but Lazcano’s raspy and melodic vocals – something like a cross between Don Dokken y Herry Hess – turn things very melodic.
Since opener ‘Fragile’ you can taste what this band is all about; modern melodic metal with progressive touches, but pre / main chorus really melodic, hard rock oriented.
Overall, the final product bring to mind JAMES LaBRIE solo records (but more melodic imho) and another band that many of you will remember: BALANCE OF POWER. The latter act sound is strongly present in ‘Take this Life’, a song with lots of power but really, really melodious in essence.
Next, ‘Isolated’ is even more melodic, a mid-paced song decidedly melodic hard rock both in structure & sound. It bring to mind AIRLESS or LOVER UNDER COVER. The guitar solo soars, truly compelling.
‘Life in a Showcase’ has a little ’80s feel here and there with some synths in the background (and very melodic vocals in the ALLEN / LANDE vein), then on ‘Save Me’ the band try some thing different adding a female vocalist (Esther Gomez) and growl vocal touches which I didn’t like it.
However, the band is back on track with follower ‘Broke’, and what a killer tune it is. A midtempo with that 80s hard rock / metal feeling where the chorus is pure melodic gold, same with the excellent guitar solo.
Another highlight arrive with closer and title track ‘Circle Of Time’. It’s a heavy song, a crossroad between MASTERPLAN and LORDS OF BLACK, with a big rhythm section and huge guitars, and one of my favorites.
The overall feel takes you back to the ’80s to the YNGWIE / SOTO era as well, in the middle section there’s a killer guitar duel guesting virtuoso Robert. R. Rodrigo, and at the coda we hear greatly arranged harmony vocals.
COFFEINNE is very strong combo mixing equal parts of classic melodic metal / progressive / power / hard, and have created a really impressive debut in “Circle Of Time”.
You find varied songwriting, a first class melodic vocalist, an inspired twin guitar attack (David Villareal are particularly creative), a solid rhythm backbone and a bright production.
And most important of all: it always keeps you interested and results very entertaining.
Highly Recommended
You’ve seen it first here, at 0dayrox
01 – Fragile
02 – Fallen Angel
03 – Take this life
04 – Isolated
05 – Life in a showcase
06 – Save me
07 – Broken
08 – No escape
09 – The hate within
10 – Circle of time
Inaki Lazcano – vocals
David Villarreal – guitar
Sergio Salcedo – guitar
Alberto Munoz – bass
Luis Rodriguez – drums
Robert. R. Rodrigo – guest guitar solo on 10
Esther Gomez – guest vocals on 6
BUY IT !
www.amazon.co.uk/Circle-Time-Coffeinne/dp/B07615B95Y
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