Korea The Delirium Suite
by Cyndi Jo
Staff Writer
Last year, (2010) was the year of really intense, raw, hard-hitting efforts,that most forgot about how tranquil a good melodic hard-rock album can be.
So when heads need a rest from all that heavy head banging, ladies and gentlemen there’s alternative heavyweights: Korea. This Swedish quartet have been around since 2003, and as the release of their debut For The Present Purpose received raved reviews, their second effort The Delirium Suite,has proven to not be a sophomore slump. The Delirium Suite is a radio friendly, well balanced, melodic album that definitely intrigues an individual in– it is genuine, organic,full of falsetto that has just enough grit which is a much needed rest from all of those hard-hitting albums of 2010.
Their first single, “Street Spirit (Fade Out),” is a good representation of the album, overall. The Radiohead cover from The Bends, has an electronic -modern touch, yet, has a different hardcore feel to it while maintaining soft vocals–much like the original. For a cover, it’s alright. It would have been better if Korea would have rocked it out a little more, much like the first track, “Cataclysm.” The song is very heavy with chugging-distorted guitar riffs ,with an underlying keyboard track, not to mention the high energy, alternating drumming.”The Absentee” definitely brings the electronic-rock Korea is known for. The very melancholic intro that sways through electronic beats that are backed up by the incredibly depress bass drum defines it’s great structure. The great hooks that make it an inclusive psychedelic and subtle song that distinguish Korea from other bands. It’s what makes the song the strongest in the album by far. As strings back up the chorus in “Logical Fallacies” spacey guitar intro is what makes it a relatively hard alternative but doesn’t quite make it so much a heavy, dynamic track.
Korea does have a distinct sound compared to any alternative metal band. At times The Delirium Suite lacks that fist full of grit but proficiently excels at the soft sub-genre. The album is balanced and overall is a melodic rock album that should belong in the mainstream airwaves.
1. Cataclysm
2. The Absentee
3. From The Ashes
4. Street Spirit (Fade Out)
5. Take The Blame
6. Enemies
7. Logical Fallacies
8. Cave Dweller
9. Bloodline
10. Prozac Gen.
11. Carpet-Slipper
12. Exit
13. Gone (Bonus track)
Label: ViciSolum Productions
Online: www.myspace.com/koreasweden
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10