HEARTWIND – Heartwind III (2024) *HQ*

Based in Stockholm, HEARTWIND have been serving quality melodic hard rock with influences from the classic rock bands of the 80s such as Journey, Whitesnake, Europe for over seven years and has released two delebrated albums, showcasing the band’s ability to create powerful and emotional songs with strong
Via Pride & Joy music, the band will release “Heartwind III“, where they have perfected the songwriting and elevated the production sound awesomely.
The core of Göran Engvall (guitars), Mikael Rosengren (keyboards) and Peter Svensson (drums) is heped by impressive musicians such as legendary vocalist Matti Alfonzetti, Nalle Påhlsson (Treat), Rick Altzi (Gathering of Kings), Fredrik Folkare (Unleashed), Jakob Samuel (The Poodles), Henrik Bergqvist (The Poodles), Thomas Vikström (Candlemass, Therion), Andreas Novak (House of Shakira), to name a few.
Seriously, this is one of best AOR / Melodic Hard Rock albums of the year…

The excellent Jakob Samuel reunites with his former bandmate guitarist from The Poodles, Henrik Bergqvist, for opening track ‘Warrior’. The melody and Jakob’s harmonies with guitarist Göran Engvall are anthemic in all the right ways.
Next we hear the singer from one of the newest bands to arrive on the scene, the fabulous Remedy. Robert van der Zwan takes on ‘Facing the Night’, a midtempo rocker that does not divulge from his full-time band. In fact, it sounds like the sister track to their song ‘Moon Has the Night’, from the recently released Remedy album, ‘Pleasure Beats the Pain’. Bottom line, if you dig that band, you will love this song.

The awesome Matti Alfonzetti tackles the most exhilarating track that follows, the Whitesnake-inspired rocker ‘Struck by Love’. It’s pulse-pounding rhythm is familiar yet exciting. Matti’s soulful approach and conviction to the track just wins you over.
Andreas Novak takes the leads on ‘Now is the Time’ and he adds smoothness to this already sweet AOR tune with great atmosphere.
Both Rick Altzi and Thomas Vikström are featured twice on this release, with ‘Cry for Love’ and ‘Blink of an Eye’ respectfully being the stronger of the two songs they perform.

Nina Söderquist sounds marvelous with her vocal mix of one part Bonnie Tyler and one part Issa on ‘Crying in the Rain‘. The structure of the song lends itself to a slow burn, with some simple keyboards and her vocals to start. The track builds from there, as instruments creep in and blasts to an explosive second chorus. I love it when a singer can sell the pain of a song with a vocal delivery, and that is exactly what she does.

“Heartwind III” finds this Scandi combo strengthening their songwriting, polishing the production (everything sounds clear, crisp) and enlisting some of the best vocalists you can find in the genre.
HIGHLY Recommended

1. Warrior
Lead vocals: Jakob Samuel
Guitars: Henrik Bergqvist
Backing vocals: Göran Engvall, Jakob Samuel
Drums: Peter Svensson
Bass: Nalle Påhlsson
Keyboards: Mikael Rosengren

2. Facing The Night
Lead vocals: Robert van der Zwan
Guitars: Fredrik Folkare
Backing vocals: Robert van der Zwan, Göran Engvall
Drums: Peter Svensson
Bass: Fredrik Folkare
Keyboards: Mikael Rosengren

3. Struck by Love
Lead vocals: Matti Alfonzetti
Guitars: Göran Engvall
Backing vocals: Göran Engvall, Mattias Falkendal, Matti Alfonzetti
Drums: Peter Svensson
Bass: Göran Engvall
Hammond: Mikael Rosengren

4. Now is the Time
Lead vocals: Andreas Novak
Guitars: Carl Berglund, Göran Engvall
Backing vocals: Andreas Novak
Drums: Peter Svensson
Bass: Göran Engvall
Keyboards: Mikael Rosengren

5. One Reason
Lead vocals: Rick Altzi
Guitars: Göran Engvall
Backing vocals: Göran Engvall, Rick Altzi
Drums: Peter Svensson
Bass: Nalle Påhlsson
Keyboards: Mikael Rosengren

6. Blink of an Eye
Lead vocals: Thomas Vikström
Guitars: Göran Engvall
Backing vocals: Thomas Vikström
Drums: Peter Svensson
Bass: Göran Engvall
Keyboards: Mikael Rosengren

7. Cry for Love
Lead vocals: Rick Altzi
Guitars: Göran Engvall
Backing vocals: Göran Engvall, Rick Altzi
Drums: Peter Svensson
Bass: Nalle Påhlsson
Keyboards: Mikael Rosengren

8. Brothers
Lead vocals: Thomas Vikström
Guitars: Fredrik Folkare
Backing vocals: Thomas Vikström
Drums: Peter Svensson
Bass: Fredrik Folkare
Keyboards: Mikael Rosengren

9. Crying in the Rain
Lead vocals: Nina Söderquist
Guitars: Göran Engvall
Backing vocals: Göran Engvall, Nina Söderquist
Drums: Peter Svensson
Bass: Göran Engvall
Keyboards: Göran Engvall

10. Rocking Heroes
Lead vocals: Matt Marinelli
Guitars: Göran Engvall
Guitar solo: Fredrik Folkare
Backing vocals: Göran Engvall
Drums: Peter Svensson
Bass: Göran Engvall
Keyboards: Mikael Rosengren

Pre order;
shop.season-of-mist.com/heartwind-iii-cd