Terra Nova Come Alive
by Franco Wissa
Staff Writer
“In the real world, it takes time to be an overnight success,“ Terra Nova’s website states matter-of-factly, and now with their 5th studio release, Come Alive, and the follow-up to 2005’s Escape, this band’s time in the sun, may finally be at hand. And with only a few shortcomings, this is certainly possible.
The tracks are melodic, tuneful, unpretentious, and although there is a conspicuous effort noted that the mastermind behind Terra Nova did put some true thought behind the songwriting, and the desire to bring out a true melodic record is tangible, there is however a “punch” that is missing overall. Perhaps a comparison to such heavy hitters as Khymera and Sunstorm may be unfair, so maybe what should be said instead, is that the style of music is very similar to these melodic rockers, and the songwriting is certainly within the same realm, if the musicians can dig deep within themselves and dig deep into the track itself, and pull to the surface an “all or nothing” desire to lay into the music, bring out every emotion, every chord, every sung word, and play as if nothing else matters – if that can be done, than absolutely, the melodic rock world truly can have a major player in the market.
The keyboards are wonderful, and time again the synthesizers and piano make many of the tracks standout, the bass guitar lays a solid backdrop, and the drums rock hard. And the vocal harmonies are spot on. The spirited, “Fighting Yourself, “ the Journey-ish “Here Comes the Night,” the ballad “Those Eyes,“ the beautiful pianos of “Under Pressure,” the rocking “Do or Die,” and the heavy vocals of the CD highlight “My Own Way.” If any track came close to showing true emotion it was “My Own Way.” Here was a track that came almost close to perfection – it showcased a wonderful stereophonic of a give and take between the lead and background harmonies. The guitar solo was almost spiteful sounding, and the backdrop of keyboards heard throughout was a wonderful blanket of sound. It was loud in all the right moments, and quiet in others. It sounded amazing when played loud – and it could be felt that here, finally here, on track 9, the boys of Terra Nova seemed to get it right. Closing out Come Alive was “The Final Curtin,” a ballad with some sensational piano chords bringing an accompaniment to some heartfelt vocals. But the emotions that were clearly wanting to be heard, and felt as the songwriter was pouring out his heart onto music as here was a song telling about a man’s unconditional love for his soul mate, it can only be imagined how much more powerful it would have been had the track’s “soul” been felt.
A track’s “soul” is a very real thing. Music, in its truest form is a breathing, living thing. Like life, a track has a beginning, a middle and an end. It takes shape as the song, from it’s very first opening bars, begins to grow, and create a life of it’s own. And, conversely as the track comes to it’s end, it must have told a story and during the track’s playing time, it develops, matures, and lays into the listener feelings of love, regret, hate, affection, desire, passion and warmth. It creates a world onto itself. It must be carefully crafted, developed, sung and played. Terra Nova certainly has the musicianship down to precision. The songwriting heard throughout this CD was real but it was the “soul” of the track that was missing. Should they find it, and bring it to the surface, and make that track come “alive,” than by God, the melodic rock world has a talent that will be evident for the whole world to hear.
Genre – Melodic Rock
Band:
Fred Hendrix – lead vocals
Ron Hendrix – keyboards, background vocals
Gesuino Derosus – guitars, background vocals
Lars Beuving – drums
Eric Coenen – bass, background vocals
Track Listing:
1. Come Alive
2. Fighting Yourself
3. Holy Grail
4. Here Comes the Night
5. Those Eyes
6. Under Pressure
7. Do or Die
8. Who Can You Count On
9. My Own Way
10. The Final Curtin
Label: Frontiers Records
Hardrock Haven rating: 7.8/10