Fullforce | One
by Franco Cerchiari
Staff Writer
Bringing together a band whose members come from such iconic metal heavyweights as solid as DivineFire, Narnia, Cloudscape, Hammerfall, Yngvie Malmsteen and Silent Memorial one should have a firm sentiment that this indeed will be a band that can (and will) live up to their legacy brought by their former groups. Promised to be a band and not just a “project,” Fullforce vocalist Mike Andersson has been quoted with having said, “…we see a good vision and a great future for FULLFORCE…this is the best thing that could have happened to us!” With a sound comparable to Ride the Sky, Gamma Ray and Thunderstone, Fullforce, formed in Sweden in 2008, has released a strong contender in today’s melodic power metal scene.
Unconfined and straightforward, Fullforce liberates the power metal sound with one solid metal track after another. The tracks, heavy with guitars, supplemented with the use of admirable keyboards push their way toward the listener until one is faced with what is a wall of sound. At that moment it is best to just sit back and allow the band deliver to you what is at hand. Guitar hooks galore, double bass drums and great bass embedded firmly within the groove of striving to deliver a knockout collection of music, Fullforce does deliver. The overall sound, perhaps not as crisp in a time or two, One is by and large a great CD. Front man Mike Andersson has a vocal style very similar to Russell Allen (which is never a bad thing,) growling, deep and emotional. Indeed bold, tracks such as the killer, guitar riff heavy opener “Mythomaniac,” complimented by melodic vocals come straight toward the listener, making no apologies. “Mythomaniac,” is heavy as hell, but an excellent metal statement. Outstanding as well is the deep, bottom ended guitars and rock-hard drums of “None of You.” With lyrics as thought provoking, “…so much misery the innocent are crying” is the CD highlight, “Heart and Soul.” Touches of the Far East open the nasty, evil “Oblivion,” and on the track which certainly shows Andersson’s similarity to Russell Allen is “Rain.” The synthesizers of the heavy metal showing with some insane guitar solos is “Walls of Secrets,” and the piano intro of the mid tempo “Father Spirit.”
While One is indeed metal, the band almost has made the statement that they refuse to be tied down to one genre. Certainly melodic, some tracks have elements of the heavy, (“Open Your Eyes”) grand (“Suffering in Silence”) and calming, but episodic, (“Oblivion”) and even with traces of progressive, (“Bleed”) the boys of Fullforce take the listener on a journey of several genres, but, and not surprisingly – with the resumes of the band members – they do each quite well.
It is yet to be seen what the future of Fullforce will be. Deliver a strong power metal CD the boys of Fullforce have done, and is the hope that with such a label as SPV behind them, and offering their support, Fullforce continues the trek started by One.
Genre: Melodic Power Metal
Track Listing:
Mythomaniac
None of You
Heart and Soul
Oblivion
Open Your Eyes
Rain
Suffering In Silence
Walls Of Secret
Father Spirit
Bleed
Into The Cradle
Musicians:
Mike Andersson – vocals
Stefan Elmgren – guitars
Carl Grimmark – guitars
Tommy Larsson – bass
Anders Johansson – drums
Label: SPV
Hardrock Haven rating: 8.5/10