» Cdreviews  
« back

Royal Hunt - Paradox II: Collision Course

Published March 29 2008


*
=Staff's pick

Principles Of Paradox
The First Rock
Exit Wound
Divide And Reign
High Noon At The Battlefield
The Clan*
Blood In Blood Out
Tears Of The Sun*
Hostile Breed*
Chaos A.C.


Genre Symphonic/Melodic Metal
Mark Boals
Vocals
Tracks 10
Marcus Jidell
Guitar
Runningtime 51 Min.
-
Guitar
Label Frontiers Records
Per Schelander
Bass
Release 14 March 2008
Allen Sorensen
Drums
Country Denmark/USA/Sweden
André Andersen
Keyboard
Similar artists Space Odyssey, Shadow Gallery, At Vance

The ninth album of Royal Hunt marks a new chapter in their history and the reason for this is, as usual I should say, a new line-up. Mark Boals (ex-Malmsteen and Ring Of Fire) is Royal Hunts fourth vocalist since the beginning in 1991. I wasn't very pleased when I heard the news of the vocalist change since I felt that John West really hade grown to be a worthy replacement of D.C. Cooper on the great live album 2006 Live. Just as I described in my review of that record: "However, with this live album, if not earlier, John West proves once and for all that he is THE vocalist of Royal Hunt, not just a replacement.".

The title reveals that this is a continuation of the phenomenal album Paradox (1997) and the question everybody's asking if it's a sequel worthy of its name? Well, not really I have to say. The overall direction stays true to the trademark sound of Royal Hunt and the quality of the song writing is almost as good as always. My problem with Paradox II: Collision Course is that I don't think Mark Boals fit in the band at all. I can't argue about his technical skills but his vocal style has a negative effect on the melodies. On Exit Wound for instance he ruins a great song with an exaggerated vibrato in the chorus. The second half of the album however proves that this line-up can do great things with killers like Tears Of The Sun, with a nice addition of female vocals, and my favourite track Hostile Breed.

At first I was immensely disappointed with André Andersen's new effort but slowly the album has grown to be a quite pleasant addition to the Royal Hunt discography. I'm still having issues with Mr. Boals but since the album has a lot of great compositions it almost makes up for this detail. Maybe it's just me, I know for a fact that a lot of people are praising this album, but my conclusion stays firm; Paradox II: Collision Course is a decent album but no way near Royal Hunt's best achievement in their career.

See also review of: Paper Blood , 2006 Live

Performance
Originality
Production
Vocals
Songwriting

8

7

7

4

8

 
Summary



6,5 chalices of 10 - Hawk


Related links:

www.royalhunt.com
www.myspace.com/royalhuntmusic