Ask any fan of punk rock their favourite bands, and more likely than not, Strung …
7
Impressive CV
Welcome To Paradise is the debut album from a blossoming new power metal project known as NorthTale.
MORE: SURFACING: Slipknot Tribute Announce East Coast Tour This August REVIEWS: FREEDOM OF FEAR: Nocturnal Gates // THY ART IS MURDER: Human Target // CARNIFEX: World War X
NorthTale’s membership brings some impressive CVs to the party, including guitarist Bill Hudson, known for his performances with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Udo Dirkschneider, vocalist Christian Eriksson, formerly of Twilight Force, and former Yngwie Malmsteen drummer Patrick Johansson. Despite this pedigree, however, there is not a lot of appropriation from these, with the exception of a remote nod to Twilight Force; rather, Welcome To Paradise–and indeed NorthTale itself–seems to stand as something of an independent expression. Prepare to be uplifted.
Above all, the members’ enjoyment of power metal shines through. Welcome To Paradise is one of those albums that has clearly been fun to make, and therefore is inspiring to listen to. From the outset with opening title track, the celebratory nature of Welcome To Paradise is abundant. Eriksson’s large but lively vocal style is perfect for the persist positivity that characterises NorthTale’s mission.
Welcome To Paradise is a very endearing album that carries you with it, and likely to strike a chord with power metal and generally melodic metal fans. So get along for the ride.
Occasionally NorthTale’s lineage with Twilight Force comes through, such as on Playing With Fire, laden with melodic hooks. While generally Welcome To Paradise is very Stratovarius-and-Hammerfall-inspired, there is a nice amount of texture between the songs, with tracks like Follow Me and Bring Down The Mountain that have a bit more thickness to their sound and show off some more of Johansson’s energy, and Way Of The Light with a mellow-rock leaning. Most apparently, though, Hudson really built his own playground with NorthTale and it’s exhilarating to hear how liberating this is. Look out for dazzlingly unshackled solos and boundless riffs throughout Welcome To Paradise.
Closing with Even When, a beautiful slower piece in which Eriksson’s passionate range is on display, NorthTale present their debut with charming humility. While not strikingly innovative, it kind of isn’t meant to be. Overall with Welcome To Paradise, it sounds like NorthTale have laid their cards on the table for the first round, and with the talent packed into this lineup it really feels like they are only just starting to spread their wings. It’s playful at times, but sincere, with a genuinely positive message. Admittedly, Welcome To Paradise is a very endearing album that carries you with it, and likely to strike a chord with power metal and generally melodic metal fans. So get along for the ride.
STANDOUT TRACKS: If Angels Are Real, Higher, Shape Your Reality
STICK THIS NEXT TO: Stratovarius, Majestica, Twilight Force
