VIOLET JANINE – Queen Of Rock (2020) *EXCLUSIVE*
‘Between Red And Blue’, the debut album from VIOLET JANINE, surprised us with its quality, so much that was chosen by 0dayrox team as ‘Best Debut Album 2016’.
The project worked to launch talented female singer Janine Nyman as solo artist, with everything conducted by lead guitarist / songwriter / producer Daniel Palmquist, a guy that has been around the block of melodic rock for some time.
Now 2020, VIOLET JANINE operates as a full 6-piece band, and have been releasing standalone singles (the trend of the moment) while preparing a full length new album. Here we have all these new songs (5) plus their full debut.
Palmquist has contributed to AOR bands such as Find Me, Norwegian singer Issa and melodic metal band The Murder Of My Sweet among others, so it’s an experienced musician and skilled producer.
Apart of the guest appearance by the great Tony Martin (who also co-wrote the track where he duets with Janine), there’s Pontus Snibb of Bonafide on the track ‘Down On My Knees’ as well.
Among the new tracks, ‘Higher’ is driven by a pulsating melodic rock punch and Janine’s soaring vocals. Then ‘Queen Of Rock’ is indeed a showcase for her voice varied textures, and we find a new version of ‘Everyday is a Fight’ from the debut album, now with different arrangements including orchestrations into a ballad mode and featuring the new, full band line up.
‘When The War is Over’ adds a touch of modernity to its midtempo AOR feel, while the semi-acoustic ‘The Last of Us All’ is inspired by the apocalyptic video game of the same name.
All strong new material.
‘Heat Of The Highway’ kicks off the debut album and the title really mirrors the music – yes, this is true American “on-the-road” music. It’s a melodic hard rock song with an ’80s US vibe, guitar driven with a melodic but pretty kick-ass beat and both, verses & chorus are very catchy.
‘Devil In Me’ is a raunchy rocker, then in ‘Tell Me’ we get a more melodic oriented tune with a sticky chorus and a mid-paced melody where Janine’s lead vocal takes the central role.
‘Everyday’s A Fight’ is the kind of power ballad that writers like Desmond Child and Diane Warren would sell their mothers to write, a total hit in my book.
Returning to hard rockin’ sounds, ‘Shut Up’ is in your face with a fistful of attitude and fits Janine’s raspy voice like a glove. A killer track that I bet will go down like a storm live.
Next there’s ‘So Much More’ where Tony Martin guests and duets with Janine on this bluesy ballad. Martin and Nyman work together brilliantly and the song it’s big on emotion and feel. Even though the melody isn’t the usual radio friendly “don’t bore us get to the chorus” thing, the whole tune is really solid where the verses / chorus works together at making the song a stand-out track.
‘Better This Than Nothing’ comes with a big groove, still with some major melodic rock ’80s bound on top and great guitar work. Again, this is really damn good.
‘Story Of Your Life’ is a midtempo ballad with some Robin Beck on it. The groove makes it a mover and the melody is quite addictive.
Violet Janine close the album with ‘Down On My Knees’, a great Euro melodic rocker. Singer Pontus Snibb, originally with Swedish rockers Bonafide, duets with Janine on the track and the guy does a phenomenal job. It’s a killer song, he chorus is really bulls-eye and the whole tune kicks up some dust and really rocks – what a great way to end this record.
Swedes Violet Janine delivers great female fronted melodic hard rock big on catchiness. This band has attitude, heart, soul and a big love for the music they play and they do it with all the conviction in the world.
Also, all musicians are top notch performers and Janine is such an amazing singer with a wide range, a brilliant vibrato and a sexy raspiness which makes her one of the best female rock vocalists recently appeared.
How to sum this album and its music is easy – one word-easy – WOW!
Very, Highly Recommended
01 – Higher
02 – Queen Of Rock
03 – Everyday is a Fight (new ballad version)
04 – When The War is Over
05 – The Last of Us All
06 – Heat of the Highway
07 – Devil in Me
08 – Tell Me
09 – Everyday’s a Fight
10 – Shut up
11 – So Much More (duet with Tony Martin)
12 – Better This Than Nothing
13 – Story of Your Life
14 – Down on My Knees (duet with Pontus Snibb)
Vocal: Janine Nyman
Guitar: Daniel Palmqvist
Guitar: Mano Lewys
Bass: Basse Blyberg
Drums: Ian Brunnberg
Keyboards: Tony Weseth
BUY IT
www.amazon.com/s?k=Violet+Janine&i=digital-music
