TRANCE – Metal Forces (2021)
TRANCE are one of the seminal metal bands from the German scene and can be considered as co-founders of the genre alongside SCORPIONS and ACCEPT. With new frontman Nick Holleman (ex-VICIOUS RUMORS) they are back in business with a new album which title speaks for itself: “Metal Forces“, delivering a timeless, authentic classic metal sound combined with traditional hard rock spirit and lots of energy.
The album opens with two up-tempo songs ”The Fighter” and ”Troublemaker” featuring those typical ’80s German metal characteristics; catchy choruses, galloping rhythms and very recognizable guitar hooks and riffs.
“Death Machine” is a slow burner with a metallic groove and some atmospheric keys during the solo, the the band try something different with “Deep Dance”, where the drums are kinda tribal and the melody has a middle-Eastern vibe. An interesting track to say the least.
“Believers” brings it back classic metal again with a fist pumper that should have most heads bangin’. The intro “The Horns of Jericho” leads into “As Long As I Live” which has a early 2000’s HELLOWEEN type vibe to it.
Then title track “Metal Forces” is a mid-tempo jam groovy hard rockers with some tasty lead work.
A song that triggers a walk on the memory lane is ”Ballad of a Group”. The song has its origins in 1975 when the tune was written. Some decades later the track finds a spot on the song-listing of ‘Metal Forces’. It’s an excellent hymn that starts calm and soulful before shifting gear towards a layered metal anthem with great guitar wok and well-done pace changes.
This anthems shows the potential of Trance and at the same time proves that old and new goes together very well. And with all the layers, the song is still in focus, meaning one get never lost in endless solo parts or indigestible twists.
Trance in 2021 is a very positive surprise and the new album entertains metalheads and rock fans. Strong sharp riffs, great vocals and well-forged melodies are the main ingredients for this longplayer that makes fun from start to finish.
Production has a strong analog sound with a real (not Pro-Tools or some other digital recreation) drum sound which perhaps will be too much old-fashioned for some listeners, but it fits very well this musical style.
01 – The Fighter
02 – Troublemaker
03 – Death Machine
04 – Deep Dance
05 – Believers
06 – The Horns of Jericho
07 – As Long as I Live
08 – The Drums of Waterloo
09 – Metal Forces
10 – Ballad for a Group
Vocals – Nick Holleman
Guitar – Markus Berger
Guitar – Joris van Rooij
Bass – Thomas Klein
Drums – Neudi
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www.emp-online.com/p/metal-forces/509199.html
