Almost Perfect
The Godfather at Frontiers obviously has a master plan, to give melodic rock to the masses. It must be difficult when AOR has never been the popular choice for most, but is probably in the best shape it has been for a number of years, and Frontiers are a major player in making this happen. For this, I commend the vision of the bloke.
The W.E.T. debut album in 2009 was one of the rare occasions when a band created by the vision of a record label president managed to create such a wave of enthusiasm and interest from fans and the media alike, not only that it went beyond the band's own expectations, but pushed the musicians themselves to raise their game, when in the beginning they, "thought anyone would care except maybe the die-hard fans from the three bands the name W.E.T. came from".
The key element to the success of W.E.T. was to create a modern melodic hard rock sound and drive it into the future, with powerhouse rhythm and production making it an equally classic and contemporary release.
Robert Sall (the "W" from Work of Art), Erik Martensson (the "E" from Eclipse) and Jeff Scott Soto (the "T" from Talisman) accepted the daunting task to give that debut album a follow-up, along with Eclipse members Magnus Henriksson and Robban Back, that could live up to the expectation of thousands of fans across the globe.
Anticipated by the release of the single/video Learn to Live Again – an unbelievably radio-friendly song, which features for the first time a vocal duet between Martensson and Soto - the new album Rise Up presents again a massive production with added spit and polish, and Learn... is the first standout song on the album. Instantly memorable, it presses all the buttons for an enjoyable ride. Title track Rise Up takes over where Learn... leaves off, catchy as hell chorus, great hook, and a modern AOR classic even if it does take its inspiration from the 80s. An AOR album wouldn't be one if there wasn't a ballad, and W.E.T. nail it with Love Heals, and plenty of 'Whooa, ooohhhs' along the way for you budding Rock Gods to sing along to. W.E.T. have found a formula that works, songs like What You Want and Bad Boy just roll off the W.E.T. production line.
Hook after hook, Rise Up is another one of these albums where you can enjoy the dynamics of a brilliant partnership bringing out a unique result. Melodic bullet rockers are followed by haunting ballads and fabulous arena rockers in an album that leaves the listener in awe from start to finish.
Frontiers info states that Rise Up is released in February but it will be very difficult to envision anything better to come out during the year to beat the "melodic rock album of the year". Do you know what? They won't be far wrong come the end of the year, it's a belter!