THE WHEEL – 2nd & 10 (2018)
Norway’s THE WHEEL greatly surprised us with their self-titled debut featured in exclusive here at 0dayrox. But many years have passed since, five indeed, and finally the band are back with a new album ‘cleverly’ titled “2nd & 10“, yes, including ten songs one of them co-written by Dan Reed.
THE WHEEL is formed by various talented musicians who are busy with other projects / session work as well, some of then backing band for Ken Hensley, UFO members solo tours, etc.
But when the get together as THE WHEEL, they sound awesome, believe me.
Their musical style is unmistakable: late Seventies / early Eighties hard rock but plenty of melody.
Think Whitesnake and commercial-era Rainbow.
Occurs that The Wheel’s singer Jan Erik Salvesen vocal color is a mix between David Coverdale and Sammy Hagar, while the musical focus in the band is driven by founder member Orjan Kvalvik’s guitars containing echoes of both Eddie Van Halen and Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page.
Just listen to the melodic bluesy midtempo gem of ‘Last Day’. What a wonderful melody and sweet chorus with harmonies all over. It brings to mind Snakecharmer more mellow side.
The band rocks greatly with the Hammond-infected ‘My Machine’, while ‘On Through The Night’ (no Def Leppard connection), the pulsating melodies and White Serpens feel appear again.
All the other songs are very good, such as the driving rocker ‘Rocksteady’, the Zepp-like acoustic ‘Sister’, or the highly melodious rocker ‘Methomania’.
But my absolute favorite is ‘This Low’, composed with Dan Reed who also play acoustic guitar, a midtempo magic sweet tune where Salvesen’s Coverdale-isms appear in all its splendor.
The Wheel and “2nd & 10” is all about timeless classic rock, melodic rock with a bluesy foundation. But they sound ‘different’ from your regular band playing this style.
There’s something unique to their sound and they way they perform their instruments, all tasteful musiciansplus a superb vocalist.
It’s a HIGHLY Recommended release by this blog.
01 – Douchebag Blues
02 – Last Day
03 – My Machine
04 – On Through The Night
05 – This Low (feat Terje Kjørlaug & Dan Reed)
06 – Hey You
07 – Sister
08 – Rocksteady
09 – 7th Wonder
10 – Methomania
Vocals: Jan Erik Salvesen
Guitars, Backing Vocals: Ørjan Kvalvik
Bass: Rune Gandrud
Drums: Bjørn Olav Lauvdal
Keyboards, Backing Vocals: : John Kristian Alterskjær
Guests; Terje Kjørlaug, Dan Reed
BUY IT !
www.amazon.de/2nd-10-Wheel/dp/B07DX1L6T1
musicbuymail.com/en/shop/?
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