PANORAMA – Around The World (2018)
A true international combo, Swiss / Finnish / American rockers PANORAMA will release their debut album, “Around The World“, on January 12, 2018 via ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records. The album is produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Dennis Ward (Unisonic, Pink Cream 69) who is also part of the band’s line up.
The genesis of Panorama takes us back into 2008, when Swiss guitarist Sammy Lasagni met ADAGIO frontman Christian Palin on tour. Already then the two musicians found some solid ground when it comes to music. The guys stayed in touch for many years before 2015 marked a turning point.
The duo began to write songs which they planned to release on a debut. For the recording they contacted no less than Dennis Ward who was impressed by what he got to hear.
This led to Ward producing Panorama’s debut but also playing bass on the album. The line-up was completed by drummer Philipp Eichenberger and Finnish guitar player Ben Varon.
Panorama was born and ready to rock.
There’s no mystery to the Panorama sound. Quite simply it’s classic European melodic hard rock with some edge here and there, and then carefully delivered with a very melodic production.
You know the familiar ingredients: twin guitar attack which turn to thrilling solos, clean & strong lead vocals, big beat n’ groove from the rhythm section, a touch of synths, and catchy hooks in refrains and choruses.
Yeah, the PINK CREAM 69 sound & style comes to mind while listening to “Around The World“, you can check tracks such as the catchy ‘Standing My Ground’ or ‘The Other Side’ for a proof, but also GOTTHARD or OUTLOUD (the very good Greek melodic hard rock band).
Opener and title track ‘Around The World’ clearly showcases the band’s overall sound, a catchy upbeat tune but at the same time with some of the edge mentioned before. There’s a steady vocal performance by Christian Palin, sharp riffage, an some keys giving the tune a slightly American feel.
‘Jammin In The Jungle’ turns more on a lively rock beat and groove, a song ready for the arenas, as well as the quite anthemic and speed-up ‘One For All’. Panorama attempts something of a ballad with the somewhat lighter ‘The Highest Mountain’, a mixture of slightly progressive synths and sweet melodies.
Yet, with these familiar characteristics, I might suggest that the edgy feel is rather prominent in the half of the tracks on the record. The riffs are sharp, the solos more rabid, and the bottom end heavier.
That’s notable within the riff busting ‘Shout It Out’ with some DIO on it, while I had to think about Queensryche‘s Empire heavier moments while listening to the guitar lines of ‘The Glory Within’.
“Around The World” is a really fine first start for Panorama delivering quintessential, if not predictable, European classic melodic hard rock with an edge, pretty similar to Pink Cream 69.
There’s strong songwriting and musicianship, and from the first note you can appreciate Dennis Ward’s hand all over, from the crisp production to the clever layers of harmony vocals and keyboard embellishments.
Highly Recommended
01. Around The World
02. Standing My Ground
03. The Glory Within
04. Gates Of Babylon
05. The Highest Mountain
06. Jammin In The Jungle
07. One For All
08. The Other Side
09. Heart Has Been Broken
10. Shout It Out
11. World On Fire
Dennis Ward – Bass, Vocals (Unisonic, Pink Cream 69)
Christian Palin – Vocals (Random Eyes, ex Adagio)
Sammy Lasagni – Guitars (Gods of Silence, ex Kirk, ex Godiva)
Ben Varon – Guitars (Amoral, ex Grease Helmet)
Philipp Eichenberger – Drums (Gods of Silence, ex Kirk)
PRE ORDER:
www.amazon.co.uk/Around-World-Panorama/dp/B077N3HSPY
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