JORN
"Over the Horizon
Radar"
(Frontiers Music SRL; 2022)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Today, Jorn Lande is a legend, of course, having lent his magnificent voice to many a rock'n'roll project (check out his Wikipedia page for a complete list). JORN is his solo project and this is their tenth release, the first having come way back in 2000.
It's been a while since I listened to "Starfire" (and I wasn't impressed; see review below) but the music on "Over the Horizon Radar" is proof positive that Jorn and his current band can still deliver the goods. Eleven tracks of razor-sharp metal, heavy on guitars, heavier on vocals, and includes at least two epic (or near-epic tunes): the War of the Worlds/Alien Invasion-themed "Dead London" coming in at just over seven minutes, and the self-affirming "My Rock and Roll" at seven-and-a-half minutes (including the quiet opening, which leads into hammering guitar).
Jorn's voice is the star here, as you might
expect, but the rest of the band deserves at least co-starring status. The music
is tight and focused throughout "Over the Horizon Radar" and envelopes Jorn's
vocals and lyrics to perfection.
The only
misstep here is the track "Winds of Home," which seems to have come from another
album. The music sounds like there's a locomotive passing in the distance and it
fades out strangely with the sound of wind. It's a short interlude, thankfully,
running just over three-and-a-half minutes, but it definitely interrupts the
flow of the album.
That minor complaint aside, "Over the Horizon Radar" is another successful album from a true rock'n'roll veteran. It's been five years since the last Jorn album. Let's hope it’s not another five years until we get another one.
For more information, check out http://www.jornlande.com.
"Unlocking
the Past" (Frontiers; 2007)
Reviewed by Edwin Van Hoof
Jorn Lande is one of rock’s finest performers, blessed with a voice with so wide a range that he can cover Dio as easily as David Coverdale without blinking his eyes. And that is exactly what Jorn Lande does on this CD.
“Unlocking the Past” features a collection of the tracks that inspired Jorn to be the great vocalist he is today. Just check out the amazing, updated version of Whitesnake’s “Fool For Your Loving” and you’ll catch my drift. It is powered with so much energy, it nearly explodes! Lande sounds like David Coverdale on steroids with bluesy, enthusiastic, untameable power!. Thin Lizzy’s “Cold Sweat” is rock hard and on full shred as is his mighty revival version of Deep Purple’s “Burn” and “Perfect Strangers” (what an intro!). Both are all fired with peppers up the arse, making the originals standing pretty pale in the end.
“Feel Like Making Love” gets the acoustic treatment (inspired!) while “Kill the King” shoots away at full throttle instantly, passing us by as fast as it started! It is inspired and passionate! And, oh how Jorn sounds like Dio! But, then, he sounds so much like the others as well. Not impersonating them, mind you, just shining his light and paying them tribute.
The all star cast of players from the Scandinavian scene provides the boost and the power: Le Tekro (TNT), Don Airey (Ten, K2, Rainbow, etc), Santollo (Millennium, Iced Earth, Eyewitness, etc.). Even Shane French gives his best on this stomping rock collection. With all these stars at hand, creating some magical moments with their best songs and some of rock’s finest tracks ever, Jorn manages to capture the classical magic and spice it up. KISS's “Naked City” never sounded this awesome, to name another one.
“Unlocking the Past” is a collection of tracks that every rock fan will love from beginning to end. It is delivered with power and passion, without a dull moment. Jorn revives his classics and contributes to our collection some of the best cover versions ever recorded, by what might as well be the best vocalist today!
For more information, check out http://www.jornlande.com.
"Starfire"
(Frontiers/Now & Then; 2000)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
This lackluster solo CD from Jorn Lande, who is also the vocalist of ARK,
is disappointing in that it really lacks anything that will stir your blood. And those tracks that
do stir are covers of other bands' hits. In fact, the best song on the CD is arguably the cover of Deep Purple's "Burn." But covers of Journey and
Foreigner songs appear here as well.
Jorn isn't a bad vocalist. His work in ARK is evidence of that. But this CD doesn't have much to
offer. In fact, it's comparable to the lesser works of the bands he covers - in a word, it's just plain
dull.
For more information, check out http://www.jornlande.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2023 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
