Artist:  Human Temple
   Title:  Murder of Crows
   Label:  Escape Music

In 2004 Human Temple released their debut album ‘Insomnia’ and put the world of Finnish Melodic Hard Rock firmly on the map.  Now six years later and a few band member changes Janne Hurme, Petri Lehto, Jori Tojander and Harri Kinnunen return with a few friends to give us all the album worthy of the name Human Temple in ‘Murder Of Crows”.

Those friends I spoke of are Jani Liimatainen (ex Sonata Arctic, Cain’s Offering), Erkka Korheonen ( ex Urban Tale, Ari Koivunem band) and Vesa Viirtanen (Twilight Guardians), who all go to make up the seven fine musicians that have put together one hell of a Melodic Hard Rock album.

From the opener ‘Not My Fault’ there is an air of class as Hurme puts out those superb vocals that I’m sure will bring a smile to the faces of all the hardcore Melodic Rock fans out there, along with the guitar work of Viirtanen, which all go to make this a great way to introduce the new album.

There are many albums that state they have something for all, but I can tell you honestly this album does have something for all.  Right from the straight up melodic rock of ‘Empty Stage’ and ‘Just One Night’, to the blues rock of ‘Just One Night’, the eighties hard rock of ‘Promised Land’ and ‘Lie’, and the almost progressive pop nature of ‘Yours Cold Blooded’.  A real eclectic mix of styles that work remarkably well.  But if you want something a bit more meaty on your rock bones then check out the almost NWOBHM ‘Emily’, this one’s straight out of Diamond Head’s back catalogue.  

As I said before, this album has everything for the discerning Melodic Rock fan. The album continues with the hard rocking ‘Secret’, which once again features a fine vocal from Hurme, as it has been throughout the entire album.

The album closes as it started with a great slice of Melodic Hard Rock in ‘What About My Broken Heart’, which rounds off a great return by the band who will once again send waves around the bands fan base, just as they did all those years ago with their debut ‘Insomnia’.  What a fantastic come back album.  I defy anyone who's into this genre to find fault with this album.

Tracklisting:

1. Not My Fault
2. Empty Stages
3. Just One Night
4. Promised Land
5. Lie
6. Your Cold Blooded
7. Ghost Of You
8. Emily
9. Secret
10. What About My Broken Heart

                  

 

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