John Norum - Optimus
In wake of Europe's re-union the name John Norum is once again a hot topic in the media. In the slipstream of Europe's comeback album "Start from the Dark" John Norum releases his new solo album "Optimus". The album is named after the street where Norum grew up in Stockholm, Sweden.

It took a few listens before "Optimus" gained my interest. The album follows Norum's hard riffing and his tuned down guitar sound featured in Europe 2004. Compared to Norum's previous solo albums "Optimus" is the first one introducing himself doing all vocals.

The album is rooted in seventies like Hard Rock ala Thin Lizzy, but sounds very modern. Norums playing style with heavy riffs and breaks plus in particular his voice reminds of Zakk Wylde.

Norum's crunchy guitars and his ear for melodic metal are perfectly conducted on album opener Chase Down The Moon. The song is the highlight of "Optimus'" along with the melodic Taking the Blame.

Overall the result is a bit disappointing. I don't think anyone question John Norum's abilities on the six string, but the album has a tendency to float together and become a bit monotone mainly because of Norum's vocals. His vocals don't have the same range as the previous singers he worked with on his solo albums. Also the dark crunchy tuned down guitar sound becomes a bit monotone throughout a whole record.

It not that John Norum can't sing - he actually sings pretty well but his voice lacks expression that breathes life into the songs. Norum's best vocals performance is on the laid back Change will Come. Norum really puts soul into this one and breaks the monotone vocal pitch when he proves that he is able to hit some higher notes.

The album is short on really great melodic melodies, but it has some amazing guitar playing. All songs are guitar masterpieces - worth mentioning is Nailed to the Cross in particular, which is co-written with Talisman's Frederik Åkesson. The solo is fantastic, but the song lacks some melodic pleasing to capture the listener. It's a bit hard to keep you jaw dropped because of the guitar playing alone.

Along with Chase Down the Moon, Taking The Blame and Change Will Come - the songs that works best are the instrumental title track and also the instrumental album closer Solitude, which ends the album on a cheerful note and finally breaks away from the dark sound that characterizes the album.

Written by Michael
Thursday, February 17, 2005
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Ratings

Michael: 6/10

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RevelationZ Comments


Comment by rully (Anonymous) - Thursday, March 10, 2005
i think that john norum is the greatest guitar player in the world. i relly love his music when he was back then in europe.he was such a brilliant and the trickiest guitar player.


Comment by Tom Anders (Anonymous) - Friday, March 17, 2006
hei jeg er fra norge kom og spill iflekke fjord eller kristian sand barn må kunne komme



Comment by Simone (Anonymous) - Monday, June 19, 2006
I think that john norum is one of the greatest player of the world after petrucci, morse, schimdt and malmsteen. the album "optimus" is very excellent hard rock performance. play the guitar of the europe bands and his solo album. w john norum!!

rating : 9/10











Review by Michael
None

Released by
Mascot Records - 2005

Tracklisting
01  Chase Down The Moon
02  Nailed To The Cross
03  Better Day
04  One More Time
05  Time To Run
06  Optimus
07  Taking The Blame
08  Change Will Come
09  Forced
10  Solitude


Supplied by Target


Style
Heavy Rock

Related links
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John Norum - Official Website

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