Outloud : Love Catastrophe

by Ron and Don Higgins
Staff Writer

Love Catastrophe is the excellent sophomore release from Greek melodic hard rockers Outloud. When they released Outloud, their debut record in 2009, the rock world took notice. It was a hard hitting rock gem that was praised by many reviewers, even winning “Best Album of the Year” in BW&BK/Bravewords.com. The question, as always, when following up a great debut album, is whether or not the band is going to fall into the trap of the Sophomore Slump or take the momentum and build an even better record. It’s safe to say, this is NOT a Sophomore Slump. For all of those people out there who complain that good melodic hard rock is dead, this is the album you need to play for them.

The genesis of Outloud began in 2004 when guitarist Tony Kash began taking guitar lessons with Firewind’s Bob Katsionis. The lessons apparently went well because they teemed up in 2008 with drummer Mark Cross (Tainted Nation, ex-Firewind, Helloween, Kingdom Come), bassist Jason Mercury and former Talon singer Chandler Mogel. In 2009, they released their debut album on Frontiers Records to rave reviews. Shortly thereafter, Sverd T. Soth (Bare Infinity) became the new bass player. They then went on to do a successful headline tour of their native Greece in late ’09 and inked a deal with AOR Heaven for their follow-up album, which was recorded in the summer of 2010. Like their debut, it was produced by Bob and mixed and mastered by Tommy Hansen (Helloween, TNT, Pretty Maids).

The album kicks off in high fashion with what will surely become a concert staple, the exceptional “We Came To Rock”. This song is an in-your-face, hard rocking monster that contains a blistering guitar solo and Chandler’s proclamation, “We came to rock! We came to roll!” Think Def Leppard screaming “Welcome to my show!” at the beginning of their popular “Stagefright”. If you want to win some easy money at one of their shows, bet someone that you can name the first song. It’ll be this one.

Other standout tracks include, “Waiting for Your Love”, “Someday”, and “Underground”. “Waiting for Your Love” is the debut single/video and is a good representation of what this band, and in particular, this album, is all about. It’s a very good song with great guitar hooks and a catchy chorus. Musically, it’s reminiscent of classic Dokken and Chandler invokes a bit of legendary Lou Gramm on his vocals. Once you hear it, you won’t be able to forget it. “Someday” is the one true ballad on this album with a beautiful acoustic intro. This song highlights the strength of Chandler’s vocals. It also features nice female backing vocals. It’s a classic tale of lamenting, long-lost lovers. “Underground” is a bit more modern sounding with killer guitar riffing and lots of swagger. You can practically feel the testosterone oozing from your speakers when Chandler starts off singing, “Listen to a story ‘bout a man like me, he’s been riding on the backs of snakes since he was three.” Whereas most of the album harkens back to the glory days of the hard rocking 1980’s, this one has more of an Offspring feel to it. Although this record doesn’t really have any fillers, probably the weakest song is the modern sounding “Isolation Game”. The Cher/T-Pain inspired Auto-Tune effects are unnecessary.

The album wraps up as strong as it starts, with the title track “Love Catastrophe”. It begins with a slow keyboard intro with spacey synthesizer sound effects. Then the sounds of rain and thunder slowly build into the mix before the songs morphs into a cool rocker. The signature guitar licks, great melodies and memorable chorus are all present. It’s an extremely interesting song and a perfect way to end this impressively enjoyable second album.

In summary, this is a very consistent, well-produced, incredibly good melodic hard rock album. Aside from the one ballad, it’s filled with mostly up-beat rockers. Anyone who is a fan of classic ‘80s sounding hard rock or just melodic hard rock in general will love this album. People who love newer bands like Brother Firetribe will also love this album. And let’s face it, who wouldn’t love an album that starts out with a crusty Irishman saying, “All right, ya lassies. I wanna see some asses shakin’!”?

Band:

Mark Cross – Drums
Bob Katsionis – Lead Guitar & Keys
Sverd T. Soth – Bass
Tony Kash – Guitars
Chandler Mogel – Vocals

Track Listing:

1. We Came To Rock
2. Falling Rain
3. Live Again
4. Waiting For Your Love
5. The Night That Never Ends
6. Someday
7. Underground
8. Isolation Game
9. Clean Hands
10. Love Catastrophe

Website(s): www.myspace.com/outloudtheband  / www.outloud-rock.com  / http://www.facebook.com/outloudtheband

Label: AOR Heaven

Hardrock Haven Rating: 9/10

Chandler Mogel of Outloud

by Derric Miller
Staff Writer

Outloud lead singer Chandler Mogel checked in with Hardrock Haven to discuss the band’s brand new album Love Catastrophe; why they went with that track as the title; the making of the video for the first single “Waiting for Your Love;” playing with Twisted Sister in Greece next week; specific songs like “Isolation Game” and “Someday;” upcoming tour plans; and a whole lot more.

Mogel is quickly becoming one of the best vocalists in the industry, and that’s saying a lot. Outloud is one of the few supergroups that are as good as they should be. Tune in now to get to know Outloud’s personable and kick ass singer, and if you haven’t heard Outloud yet … that’s on you! Pick up Love Catastrophe today.

(If the embedded player doesn’t populate, click here to stream the interview in a stand alone player.)

Outloud Outloud

by Derric Miller
Staff Writer

One of the biggest surprises of the year is the new band collectively known as Outloud. Featuring virtuoso Bob Katsionis and drummer Mark Cross from Firewind, and the vocal prowess of Chandler Mogel (ex-Talon), Outloud is a shout out to the ‘80s. You’ll hear bits of Van Halen, TNT and Hurricane, especially with the overriding melodies and Mogel’s polished delivery, quite reminiscent of Kelly Hansen.

The fracas begins with “What I Need,” one of the fastest tracks on the release. The technical skills of the band are on full display, from the searing guitar solos to Cross’ manic drum fills and blasts. Mogel sings with melodic ferocity and some playfulness in sections, and it’s a full speed ahead burner.

Their first single/video is “We Run,” and if you haven’t watched it yet, do so. It’s probably the best song on the release, although, there are no weak tracks. “We Run” is a bass-heavy rocker, with Jason Mercury leading the charge on the opening verse. The chorus soars, and sort of reminds of you when Bon Jovi was a lot heavier and way hungrier. And less sober. Again, Mogel’s vocals will remind you of Kelly Hansen, and that’s a clear compliment, since Hansen’s pipes are nearly untouchable. Outloud clearly made the right choice by bringing Mogel into the mix.

The first slower song is “This Broken Heart,” and it is an acoustic composition at the start. You can think of it as a “power ballad,” and while it’s a love song, it’s not really sappy, probably because the musicianship is such high quality it can’t be cheesy. They’ll score a lot of points with the ladies on this one.

You’ll hear plenty of times when they nearly go into Progressive Metal land, like on “Breathing Fire.” It begins with a deft riff and galloping lead, with intricate drum rhythms, but then they sort of rein in the chaos and simplify things. Like “What I Need,” it’s one of the heavier songs on the self-titled debut.

“Lovesigh” is the other ballad, and it’s a step up from “Search for Truth.” You’ll get near Classical acoustic guitars and a haunting falsetto two-part harmony opening “oooh.” Mogel sings the lowest he has on the release during the verses, and his lower registry is just as powerful as his higher passages. It would be quite an experience to see them pull this off in an arena filled with 10,000 lighter-wielding fans.

In a curious move, the album ends with a song about themselves, “Out Loud.” “Frantic” doesn’t nearly define the track, but it’s a good start. This is probably where the Van Halen comparisons raise there head, as this is as breakneck as “Hot for Teacher,” but faster and heavier. Cross’ drumming is freakishly feverish throughout, as are the riffs and the notable wicked guitar solo, either from Katsionis or the other guitarist, Tony Kash. Or both.

Outloud owns the ability to sound familiar without sounding like any other band in the genre. It is ‘80s Hard Rock, but it is uber-polished thanks to the production of Katsionis and mixing of the damn near legendary Tommy Hansen. There is simply nothing to complain about, from the vocals, to the production, to the musicianship, to the songwriting. Everything clicks. Plus, on the CD cover it says “We’ll rock you to Hell and back again!” Now, you won’t up in Hades just by listening to Outloud—you’ll have to do a little more than that—but it’s still a damn cool Metal sentiment.

Label: Frontiers Records

Track listing:
1. What I Need
2. We Run
3. Tonight
4. Search For Truth
5. This Broken Heart
6. Breathing Fire
7. Wild Life
8. Broken Sleep
9. Out In The Night
10. Lovesigh
11. Out Loud

HRH Rating: 8.7/10