HARMONY – Remembrance (2015)
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Swedes HARMONY delivered a very good album last year (presented on the blog) and now are back with EP entitled “Remembrance“, again as guest with one of the most reputed vocalist from Scandinavia, the one and only Daniel Heiman (Lost Horizon).
Harmony’s style is essentially melodic metal, but as their name states, there’s lots of harmonies here and due their pristine sound sometimes the band’s sound has melodic hard rock nuances akin Pretty Maids and alike.
“Remembrance” is a six track EP which includes four re-recorded songs from Harmony’s 2003 debut album, now with an updated production and arrangements, plus the new line-up performing.
There’s as well two new tracks.
The four re-recorded tracks are up first. “Eternity” is a thumping good opener, fast and furious yet pristine as ice water, with nice string effects two minutes in and intriguing references in the lyrics.
Next is “Dreaming Awake”, the title track of the original first album release, and it’s one of my favorite cuts. It truly represents Harmony’s style: extremely melodic, very close to the edgier side of modern Swedish melodic hard rock, with some groove in the middle part and smooth vocal arrangements.
“Without You” it’s another highlight, finding the band slipping into power ballad mode and demonstrating the breadth of their repertoire. There’s clean electric guitars, nice keys, layers of harmony vocals and a chorus that somehow – and strangely – reminds me Def Leppard. But overall the song sounds like modern day Europe or Serpentine.
“She” is pretty fast, however with a groovy rhythm, followed by one of the new tracks; “In His Heart”, driven by a broken riff, a strong chorus (great backing vocals arrangement) and excellent guitar work from founder member Markus Sigfridsson.
The other is “Feed My Hunger”, starting with an Eastern inspired snaking riff, and then turning more rocking, with a touch of progressive and nice keyboard arrangements.
Harmony is a really solid unit delivering very strong songwriting, adorned with accomplished hooks / melodies blended with refined musicianship and some intricate (but not boring) arrangements, crowned by an immaculate production.
“Remembrance” (and the band, overall) are tagged as melodic metal, but they go beyond that: as said, on many places they sound melodic hard rock, edgy, yes, but groovy and melodic.
Quite Recommended.
01. Eternity
02. Dreaming Awake
03. Without You
04. She
05. In His Heart
06. Feed My Hunger
Daniel Heiman (ex-Crystal Eyes, Lost Horizon) – Lead Vocals
Markus Sigfridsson – Guitars, Vocals, Keyboards, Programming
Raphael Dafras (Almah, Seven Horizons) – Bass
John Svensson – Keyboards
Tobias Enbert (Darkwater) – Drums
BUY IT !
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00UI23XL8
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