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Grand Lux - Carved In Stone

Published Feb. 08 2007


*
=Staff's pick

1000 Paper Cranes
Fallen Angel
Escaping The Clouds
Eye Of The Storm
Through Dirt
Like Hail From Blue Sky
Love Reflection
Never Fall
Eternity In Fire
Rainbow's End*


Genre Heavy Metal
Phil Goode
Vocals
Tracks 10
B.D. Hughes
Guitar
Runningtime 39 Min.
Kirk Evil
Guitar
Label Ulterium Records
Zack Rament
Bass
Release 26 Jan. 2007
Ran-Dee
Drums
Country Norway
-
Keyboard
Similar artists Judas Priest, Tad Morose, Stryper

Despite the exotic names in the line-up of Grand Lux the band actually hails from Kristianstad, Norway. They have existed since early 1999 and inspired by classic heavy metal such as Dio, Judas Priest and Ozzy Osbourne they started their metallic journey. These inspirations can quite clearly be heard on Carved In Stone, the bands second album, but you can also can hear touches of Tad Morose and Stryper. The similarity with Stryper is due to the fact that vocalist Phil Goode sometimes sounds extremely close to Michael Sweet.

Apart from the very weak and unfocused opener 1000 Paper Cranes the album is quite consistent and even along the way. This 39 minute ride includes nothing that raises your eyebrow in any way, just fairly competent 80's metal that passes without stirring any emotions at all. In fact, after several listening sessions it is only the final track, Rainbow's End, that has stuck in any way and there you have this album's biggest weakness. I am confident that if Grand Lux wants to make a greater impact in the metal community they have to focus on the song writing department a lot more next time. Cool names and efficient but overused riffs isn't enough I'm afraid. Better melodies and an own identity is also wanted.

Performance
Originality
Production
Vocals
Songwriting

6

5

6

6

5

 
Summary



5 chalices of 10 - Hawk


Related links:

www.grandlux.net
www.myspace.com/grandlux