Artist: Issa 
   Title: Sign Of Angels
   Label: Frontiers Records
 

There has been a resurgence of bands from Scandinavia over recent years but this year the resurgence has been topped by pure quality releases and another album that should be high on all the Melodic Rock fans wish lists is the debut release from Issa.

Frontiers have once again found a real gem of an artist in Issa, who has the perfect voice for Melodic and Hard Rock.  In a male dominated genre this lady is pure gold.

But what is a singer without a band?  Joining Issa are a top notch set of musicians with Peter Huss on guitars, Tim Larsson on keyboards, Nobby Noberg on bass and Uli Kusch on drums. 

The album opens up with the single ‘Angels Crying’, a real corker of an opener with Issa letting it rip from the off.  No mystical intros, no sublime messages hidden here,  this is pure Melodic Rock of the highest caliber believe me.

And this superb album continues its great melodic path with ‘I’m Alive’, a great rock track that pushes all the right buttons for any discerning melodic fans.  Again a classy mix of heavenly vocals and superb musicianship.  Great stuff already and we’ve only just touched on the tip of the iceberg as regards to this album.

The album takes a gentle turn with the power ballad ‘Give Me A Sign’, before rockin’ back up with the excellent ‘River Of Love’.  There is a definite feel of the Wilson sisters about this one, which can only be a high point in anyone's book.

This album has so many highlights on it but one of my personal favourites has to be the darker edged ‘What Can I Do’.  It has that epic feel about without stepping out of the genres specifics, with Issa's vocals soaring above everything on this one.

The album continues to impress with ‘Closer’, a track that really cements this albums modern Melodic Rock style.  Yes we all loved the 80’s, but if we want the genre to take steps forward then we need more albums like this one.  Yes bring in that 80’s vibe, but put a modern spin on it and this track is one of those that really brings that point to the forefront.

Another of my favourite tracks off the album has to be ‘Unbelievable’.  Another track that has that epic feel without all the pomp and circumstance, just good honest melody filled rock with Issa leading the way with another stunning vocal.

To say I’m blown away with this album is an understatement, track after track of stunning Melodic Rock comes pouring out of the speakers as the tempo is picked up with the excellent ‘How Will I Know’ and ‘As I Live And Breathe’, before the stunning ‘Flying High’, a gritty Hard Rock track with Huss producing the goods on the six string razor.

The tempo is brought back down with the ballad ‘It’s Not Me’ before the album is rounded of in superb style with ‘Fallen Angel’, another great Hard Rock track, which is the icing on the cake on one of the albums of the year so far.

 Tracklisting:

1. Angels Crying
2. I'm Alive
3. Give Me A Sign
4. River Of Love
5. What Can I Do
6. Closer
7. Unbelievable
8. How Will I Know
9. As I Live And Breathe
10. Flying High
11. It's Not Me
12. Fallen Angel

                  

 

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