WAKE THE NATIONS – Heartageddon (2024) *HQ*
Finnish melodic hard rock/AOR band WAKE THE NATIONS is back with third studio album ”Heartageddon” to be released on September 13th, 2024, via Inverse Records. Listening the single ‘Never Say’, it’s not impossible to imagine the band scaling to big things – a muscular attempt at the sort of headbanging but melodic nirvana usually reserved for the likes of H.E.A.T. and Dynazty, it shows a band that knows just what makes a Euro rock stomper in 2024.
But wait, there’s more; ‘Never Say’ isn’t even the best track on the album. That accolade goes to the classy rifferama of ‘Bulletproof’, which adds a bit of US sheen to the mix, in the process bringing to mind the glory days of, ooh, Tyketto, say, in fine style. It’s a goosebump inducing festival of heavy AOR, and it’s a track we can confidently say you’ll still be listening to in years to come should you take a chance on this record.
A fat bass, hyperactive guitars, and the clean voice / harmonies are the driven force for the catchy “Don’t Call Me Tonight”, again with some Tyketto, but also the really good act HUMAN TEMPLE, the former band of guitarist Risto Tuominen. The midtempo AOR of “Wheel of Fortune” has an enviable refinement, then ‘Lifesaver’ is different, modern, with a big rhythm section and an interesting vibe.
Call me nuts but I hear some Talisman or Mr. Big on the groovy ‘Seven’, next WTN showcase their musical variation with ‘Crossroads’ a midpaced melodic rocker with gusto, while ‘The Shadows’ takes us back to the catchy H.E.A.T / One Desire territory. A highlight.
WTN play sleaze on ‘Cowboyz & Call Girlz’? Not at all, but it’s a different track for sure, a modern melodic rocker with curious backing vocals, later the song turns slow, pretty crazy. Kudos to the guys for trying something different.
‘Hey’, is of course, a rocker, very melodic, very ’80s ala Bonfire or Casanova – yeah, somehow brings to mind German melodic hard from that era.
WAKE THE NATIONS aren’t a cookie cutter melodic hard rock / AOR band. On ”Heartageddon” they always try to surprise with a twist, a clever arrangement – it’s really refreshing. Musicianship is top notch – the bass (bass-guitar in fact) kills. Krister Stenbom’s voice is smooth / clear, and combined with the original harmonies / backing vocals the band create cool effects on most songs.
Looking for a revitalizing melodic hard rock band and still familiar respecting the pillars of the genre? Get WTS’ ”Heartageddon” > it’s really good.
Highly Recommended
01 – Alive
02 – Don’t Call Me Tonight
03 – Never Say
04 – Bulletproof
05 – Wheel of Fortune
06 – Lifesaver
07 – Seven
08 – Crossroads
09 – I Can Take It All
10 – The Shadows
11 – Cowboyz & Call Girlz
12 – Hey
13 – Street of Fire
Krister Stenbom (vocals)
Risto Tuominen (guitar)
Janne “Gekko” Granfors (bass)
Tuomas Pelli (drums)
Pre order:
recordshopx.com/artist/wake_the_nations/heartageddon/
