DAMNED NATION – Grand Design +1 [Deluxe Edition remastered] + 2 Japan Edition Bonus

Simply put, “Grand Design” – the third album from Swedes DAMNED NATION – in my opinion was the best Melodic Hard Rock album appeared at the dawn of the new Millennium. Z-Records has recently reissued this killer record in a remastered form including a bonus track, and as extra we have the exclusive 2 Japanese Edition bonus tracks.

Led by riff-master guitarist Roger Warnqvist and clean yet powerful singer Thomas Thorsen, for this record the guys boosted the melodic groove and catchiness implied on their previous record, and damn, they obtained awesome results.
“Grand Design” has easily got a more melodic edge to it and the band compliment the vocals, rather than try to compete with them. Thomas vocal work is great here, bringing more of his melodious feeling when he sings like Eric Martin of Mr. Big and mixing it with his heavy tones, when he tends to compare with David Coverdale.

The opening trio from “Grand Design” are pure gold and if after those the album ended, I would not mind. Are all great hook-filled upbeat rocking AOR / Melodic Rock gems being “Stonecold Woman” a raising nirvana, “Hiding From The World” a wonderful pumping monster of rhythm, and “Heart On The Run” a top class semi-midtempo with a killer riff, stabbing keyboards and a to-die-for chorus.

Do you need more? The guys offer more quality to enjoy.
“Fortune-teller” is a darker and moodier hard rock number with a classy British smell that leads really well into the first ballad of the album, the diamond in the rough “Desperate Call”. I just love the main melody and the clean guitars. This is AOR guys, with the best Swedish pedigree.

“Eyes Of A Stranger” rocks harder (Pretty Maids anyone?), “Hands Of Time” is a vital hard rocker with some American influences, and then the lights-in-the-air AOR returns for the compelling mid-tempo melodic rocker “Going Crazy” in the vein of Alias.

Oh, and if you think that’s all, wait for “Scream Of Anger” and “Love Reaction”. Do you like bands such as Eclipse, Brother Firetribe or H.E.A.T? You’ll be blown away by these couple of tracks, combining the edge of classy Euro Melodic Hard Rock with late ’80s Scandi AOR. Wow.
“Dance In Darkness” ends the album in the form of a calm yet groovy ballad inspired by Blue Murder, Whitesnake and alike, very British in its medulla.

“Grand Design” is, in my humble opinion, A Must Have for any Melodic Hard Rock / AOR fan. Long time out of print, don’t miss it now and gab a copy soon, it’s a limited edition.

01 – Stonecold Woman (Remastered)
02 – Hiding from the World (Remastered)
03 – Heart On the Run (Remastered)
04 – Fortuneteller (Remastered)
05 – Desperate Call (Remastered)
06 – Eyes of a Stranger (Remastered)
07 – Hands of Time (Remastered)
08 – Gong Crazy (Remastered)
09 – Scream of Anger (Remastered)
10 – Love Reaction (Remastered)
11 – Dance in Darkness (Remastered)
BONUS TRACK:
12 – Damage Is Done (Remastered)
JAPAN BONUS TRACKS:
12 – Love & Devotion (Live)
13 – Are You Willing To Forgive (Live)

Thomas Thorsen – vocals
Robert Warnqvist – guitars
Anders Linden – keyboards
Magnus Jonsson – bass
Roger Jern – drums

BUY IT
www.amazon.co.uk/Design-Deluxe-Remastered-Damned-Nation/dp/B00J5AEA3E