VON BALTZER – Cultural Daze (2018)
VON BALTZER is a new Scandinavian band consisting of four experienced musicians who have got it together to produce their debut album, entitled “Cultural Daze“, to be released by AOR Heaven Records tomorrow.
Von Baltzer consist of vocalist Ian Parry (Rock Emporium, Consortium Project, Elegy, Ayreon), guitarist Christian Kjellström (Atlantis, RockXPress), bass player Erik Palmqvist (Mickey Slim Band) and drummer Magnus Jacobson (Miss Behaviour) completes the band’s line-up. Per Ramsby (Tribute, Foundation) guests on keyboards.
As alluded to in the album’s title, “Cultural Daze”, the songs are a commentary on today’s world. Recent issues in the world media and a view of life in a multicultural society provide a rich seam of material.
Musically, the album is most definitely at the end of the classic melodic rock spectrum, with solid riffs and strong rhythm section. Per Ramsby is billed as a guest on keyboards, but believe me, he is one of the driving force of “Cultural Daze” and determines the pace, depth and background on each track.
Tunes like the melodic opener ‘All Night Long’ fulfilled immediately all expectations and also ‘Better Days’, with its keyboards arrangement, reflects typical melodic rock from Sweden. As other bands hailing from there also Von Baltzer has a good sense for hooks and catchy melodies, both being the framework for these ten songs.
However, the band add a twist here and there, turning guitars harder for the title track and the same goes for ‘Burning Bridges’. Even some Saga-esque moments found a spot on the tracklist. It’s the closer ‘Stepping Stone’ that reminds in the verse of Canada’s melodic prog legends.
It’s not that you get a feeling of ‘never heard before’. Von Baltzer doesn’t turn a whole genre upside down on “Cultural Daze”. What’s the beauty with this release though is the combination of keyboards, guitar and melodies all based in Melodic Rock structures but with a more ‘classic rock’ approach.
Melodic Rock doesn’t need to be sugar sweet all along the way. Is it some chili that intensifies the flavor of chocolate, and Von Baltzer tries to spice the album with it.
Strongly Recommended
01. All Night Long
02. Better Days
03. Burning Bridges
04. Cry No More
05. Cultural Daze
06. Fatal Attraction
07. Flick of a Switch
08. Night and Day
09. Radio Active
10. Stepping Stone
Ian Perry – Vocals
Christian Kjellstrom – Guitars
Erik Palmqvist – Bass
Magnus Jacobson – Drums
Per Ramsby – guests Keyboards
PRE ORDER;
www.aorheaven.com/index.php/englisch_b/von-baltzer-cultural-daze.html
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