STARMEN – Welcome To My World (reissue 2020)
Swedish melodic rockers STARMEN have been signed by Melodic Passion Records, and alongside their album Kiss The Sky they are reissuing 2020 the previous “Welcome To My World“. Starmen is formed by well known names from the Scandinavian Melodic Hard Rock scene, and of course, is inspired by the ’80s sound of the genre.
“Welcome To My World” not only includes very good songs rooted in the classic Scandi sound, but also stupendous musicianship and a very good, bright production.
‘Dreaming’, the catchy ‘Freewheelin’, the anthems ‘Ready to give me your love’ and ‘Stay the night’ are among the highlights, mixing various influences like Jeff Scott Soto’s Talisman, Dalton, Def Leppard, ’80s Kiss, some Whitesnake, and The Poodles.
The main man here is Kristian Hermanson, a vocalist / songwriter who during the 90s was part of obscure (and good) AORsters Cleaopatra, and did lead vocals at the early stages of The Poodles.
Hermanson’s vocal color is similar to Soto’s more melodious / AORish side, not that powerful, but these songs don’t need power but smoothness, and Hermanson delivers.
“Welcome To My World” is very, very good, and it’s a shame Starmen isn’t better promoted. You can’t find too much about them all over the internet, an even at their Facebook page there’s really scarce info.
Starmen are great, and their ’80s inspired Melodic Hard Rock / AOR deserve to be heard by all fans of the genre.
HIGHLY Recommended
01 – Dreaming
02 – Face the Truth
03 – Ready to Give Me Your Love
04 – Stay the Night
05 – Warrior
06 – Freewheelin’
07 – Evil
08 – Welcome to My World
09 – Mayday
10 – R.I.P
11 – Mission Man
12 – Electrified
Kristian Hermanson / Red Starman (ex The Poodles) – lead vocals, guitar
Andreas M Lindgren / Purple Starman – guitar
Marcus Sjoblom / Silver Starman – drums, vocals
Orjan Wahlstrom / Gold Starman – bass, vocals
add. personnel:
Peter Strandberg (Heartbreak Radio) – drums
Zacharias Ahlvik – drums
Kristoffer Gobel (Destiny) – guest vocals
Andreas Eklund (House of Shakira) – guest vocals
Christian Lundqvist (The Poodles) – guest vocals
BUY IT
www.amazon.de/Welcome-My-World-Starmen/dp/B07Z75ZS77
