by John Kindred
– Publisher —
Classic Albums Revisited —
Vocalist Jorn Lande has had quite a productive career, his resume features a list of bands and artist that span the Hard Rock and Progressive Metal spectrum; Vagabond, Ark, Mundanus Imperium, The Snakes, Millennium, Beyond Twilight and Nikolo Kotzev. During this span of time, from the mid-90s to present day, Jorn has also produced three solo records, Starfire, Worldchanger and his latest effort Out to Every Nation.
Out to Every Nation has Jorn’s stamp all over it, the music is heavy, progressive, moody and experimental. Joining Mr. Lande on his latest foray are bassist Magnus Rosen (Hammerfall) and guitarist Jorn Viggo Lofstad, drummer Stian Kristoffersen and keyboardist Ronny Tegner (keys) all of whom are members of the band Pagan’s Mind.
The music was written by Jorn Lande and guitarist Jorn Viggo Lofstad and is heavy and reaches more into the experimental Progressive domain, much more so than Masterplan’s debut CD. That being said the music is features rich and complex musical textures and provides for diverse and colorful listening experience.
Jorn’s uncanny ability to drift into and out of different voicings of hard, heavy and progressive vocals styles is not only apparent from song to song but also can be experienced with each individual track. When a song is heavy and driving, Jorn’s vocals can convey attitude within the verse and still be melodic and powerful within the chorus. And vice versa, when a song features a quiet and moody vocal, he can turn on a dime and deliver a heavy passage that rattles your bones.
Opening with a true Heavy Metal song “Forever Young,” Jorn and crew unleash a barrage of Metal, before toning it done just a little with the title track “Out to Every Nation.” From there the Metal assault continues track after a track. Songs like “Something Real,” “Living with Wolves,” and “Vision Eyes” maintain a metallic edge. “One Day We Will Put Out the Sun,” has a heavy verse and melodic chorus and offers a little tribute to Page/Plant with the interplay between Jorn’s vocals and Lofstad’s guitar riffs.
“Behind the Clown” is great lyrically and musically. The tempo of the song is turned down a notch and Jorn sings so eloquently. “Rock Spirit” lyrically is a bit quirky but with Jorn singing and the solid musicianship, one can get past that with ease. “Through Day and Night,” leans towards a more Progressive and driving rhythm. “When Angel Wings Were White” is also Progressive and features socially conscious lyrics. It is a fitting close to a very well written and recorded CD.
Genre: Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive
Band:
Jørn Lande – lead vocals
Jørn Viggo Lofstad – guitar
Magnus Rosén – bass
Stian Kristoffersen – drums
Ronny Tegner – keyboards
Track Listing:
Young Forever
Out To Every Nation
Something Real
Living Wolves
Vision Eyes
One Day Will Put Out the Sun
Behind the Clown
Rock Spirit
Through Day and Night
When Angels Were White
Label: AFM Records
Web:
Hardrock Haven rating: 
(8.5 / 10)
