BULLETRAIN – Start Talking (2014)
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We already presented last year at 0dayrox the new Swedish Melodic Hard Rock act BULLETRAIN and their debut EP. An album deal with label AOR Heaven was almost sealed with the band but their former singer, Robet Lindell, chose to bow out from the band at the last minute just as the album was finished, and naturally, this caused a major setback for the band, making them lose their album deal.
But the guys recruited new singer Sebastian Sundberg and re-entered the studio in December 2013 to start from scratch and record their long awaited debut album “Start Talking”.
The album was produced by the duo RamPac (Crashdiet and Mick Mara) and mixed by Buster Odeholm, and after hearing the album in the summer of 2014, AOR Heaven decided to give the band a second chance and now the CD is out through this prestigious recording label.
“Start Talking”, which clocks in at roughly 47 minutes playtime over 12 tracks, is pretty much what Bulletrain promised with their EP; catchy songs plenty of hooks that could easily compete with any band of the Swedish new wave of Melodic Hard Rock.
So what do we have here from an album that has been in the making for a few years now? Well despite the issues and troubles, they have clearly taken their time with this, but then that can be a good thing, especially when you want to make sure that your debut CD is the best it can possibly be with the best musicians you can gather and the best producers and mixers you can find.
I am glad to say it’s been time well spent. “Start Talking” is kick ass, energetic, rocking most the time and guaranteed to get your foot tapping, while you air guitar to the heavy riffs.
Usually bands have one guitarist that play both the lead and rhythm parts with the occasional acoustic or harmony melodies, but here there is both a lead and rhythm guitarist which it helps to lighten the load, so the lead guitarist can focus on the main riffs and the solo sections with the odd acoustic guitar here and there while the rhythm guitarist adds their own touch with melodies to accompany the lead parts.
The vocal performance of new frontman Sebastian Sundberg is exactly what you’d expect from a Swedish Hard Rock album, impressive, with excellent range and delivering really well arranged harmonies.
The album rocks from the start with the punchy “Nothing But Trouble”, followed by the awesome melodic rocker “All For One”. If you miss Danger Danger, this is for you.I don’t know if “Take Me To The Sun” will drive you to our solar system star, but I assure you it easily can transport your body to the late ’80s Sunset Strip. A hot melting melodious hard rocker blending Britny Fox and early Def Leppard on the chorus.
“Even With My Eyes Closed” is a clear example of Bulletrain’s melodic abilities. This is a hot power ballad akin Skid Row driven by intense guitars with a monster sing-along chorus.
And that’s some examples only, the entire disc Rocks.
So what do we think of this long awaited debut album from Bulletrain? You know, the band may have had their fair share of hardships and problems since their formation eight years ago, but they have clearly moved on and not let their problems affect their music.
That statement is clear in their full length debut album “Start Talking”, as it sounds superb, rocking, with bite but brimming of killer melodies.
In the same league of H.E.A.T, Brother Firetribe, Crazy Lixx and alike, Bulletrain is here to rock your world.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
01. Nothing But Trouble
02. All For One
03. Dark Days (Dark Nights)
04. From The Bottom Of My Heart
05. Even With My Eyes Closed
06. Start Talking
07. Out Of Control
08. Phantom Pain
09. Bad Blood (Out Of Love)
10. Dicing With Death
11. Take Me To The Sun
12. Joanna’s Secret
Sebastian Sundberg – Vocals
Mattias Persson – Lead Guitar
Robin Bengtsson – Rhythm Guitar
Niklas Månsson – Bass
Jonas Tillheden – Drums
BUY IT !
www.aorheaven.com/pages/ooze/ooze_sounds.php?3152
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