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Early in 2004
the nucleus of the band Vindictiv was formed with Stefan Lindholm and
Pontus Larrson laying down the foundations for the band, along with Tommy
Karevik and Johan Larsson. The quartet set about laying down some
tunes for a demo which received some favourable reviews, and although
Johan and Tommy parted company with the band, this didn’t deter Lindholm
who drafted in ex-Malmstein vocalist Goran Edman along with Nalle Pahlsson
and Mikael Wikman to complete his vision of Vindictiv.
Things get off
to an auspicious start with ‘Fool's Paradise’ and immediately the glorious
vocals of Edman show what a great lead singer he really is, and with
Lindholm’s effortless guitar work, the two set out to give Vindictiv the
edge the band deserves.
This impressive
album continues with ‘Caesar's Commentaries’, as keyboard maestro Larsson
gets this underway you can tell instantly you're in for a treat. The
obvious Scandinavian excellence comes out with Edman once again supreme on
this slice of Melodic Power Rock, with the mastery of Lindholm’s guitars
the perfect accompaniment for those fantastic vocals and with the rhythm
section bringing in the Power, while the lead two provide the Melodic
edge.
Next is the
rather dodgy titled ‘The Royal Loo’. Despite the title this one
really raises the bar once again with Lindholm really reaching for those
giddy heights on this one. The solo midsection in particular really
highlights his obvious talents along with some fantastic keys from
Larsson.
There’s just a
touch of Malmsteen guitars from Lindholm at the beginning of the next
track ‘Dreams Of A Demons Head’, once again it's power all the way on this
one a real soar-away track and is one of my favourites from the album.
‘David’s House’
is where Edman really comes into his own as he unleashes the real might of
his vocals one this biblical epic.
I can't
understate the excellence of this album as it just exceeds all my
expectations as each track unfolds. Things continue with ‘A Quiet
Life’, a more gentle track than its predecessors, but still
retaining that now firmly planted Vindictiv sound, although things soon
get back to their power infused best with the riff laden ‘Living
Colour's', before slowing down for the truly outstanding ballad ‘Hymn To
Desdemona’.
With the album
almost at a close it's plain for all to see that this album is a work of
great love by a group of highly talented musicians as the splendour is
continued all the way through to the end with ‘A Second Life’, again with
Malmsteen coming to mind with Lindholm’s guitar work, the final track
‘Fata Morgana’, which showcases Edman's finest vocals on the album and
rounds off a great album. As this is the band's debut I can really
see this band going all the way in 2008. So when this album is
released in the New Year, make sure you beg, steal or borrow the money for
this album, trust me you won't be disappointed. |
