Outloud | Love Catastrophe
by Nikiforos Skoumas
Staff Writer
Two years past their 2009 debut, Outloud release their second album Love Catastrophe. Outloud, the Greek-American melodic hard rock outfit features up and coming singer Chandler Mogel alongside key player/guitarist Bob Katsionis, drummer Mark Cross, rhythm guitarist Tony Kash and new entry bassist Sverd Soth.
Love Catastrophe is artistically in line with its predecessor being melodic hard rock with an undeniable ‘80s rock vibe. In an attempt to generalize the songs on Love Catastrophe fall in two broad categories; on one hand the groovy, up tempo rockers and on the other the melodic adult-oriented-rockers. “We Came to Rock”, “Someday” and “Isolation Game” belong to the former category and demonstrate all the intensity and attack one would demand from straight-ahead rockers although these songs do not fully bring to front the music-identity of Outloud perhaps serving better as live performances. In contrast, the melodic material is where Outloud shine brightest, providing fertile ground for each member to uncover their talent; songs like the ambitious “Live Again”, the dramatic “Falling Rain” the keyboard-driven “The night that never ends” and the temperamental “Clean Hands” are moments that separate Outloud from other melodic hard rock acts subsequently granting the group its unique musical identity; never forgetting of course the video-single “Waiting for your love” already something of a hit in the melodic circles.
In comparison to the previous album keyboard presence has been substantially reduced although there are a couple of key-driven tunes as mentioned above. Outloud reemerge as guitar-bass-drum-vocals affair which clearly takes nothing away from the songwriting and performance. Just like its predecessor, Love catastrophe was recorded by Bob Katsionis and mixed by metal sound engineer guru Tommy Hansen which is somewhat of a guarantee for the stereo quality of the product. The only minor objection from an AOR/Hard Rock enthusiast’s perspective could be the fact that the bass is sometimes up-front in the mix during the opening riffs, sounding perhaps too ‘heavy metal’ for the melodic genre.
Overall Outloud re-emerge with another great melodic hard rock album that definitely does justice to the fans who supported their debut. It is more of the same great stuff: grooves, melodies, riffs and choruses all included to make Love Catastrophe your summertime soundtrack.
Genre: AOR / Hard Rock
Track List:
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
Band:
Chandler Mogel: Vocals
Bob Katsionis: Lead Guitars & Keyboards
Tony Kash: Guitars
Sverd T: Bass
Mark Cross: Drums
Band website: http://www.outloud-rock.com/
Label website: http://metalheaven.net/html/home.html
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10
I know that music cycle back and what is old is new again,but there is gotta be some kind of twist,something to keep it fresh.Outloud’s music and image takes a certain winger-warrant 80’s influence and just copies it.There is nothing fresh in it and certainly nothing self aware.I truly don’t get what makes their music so special and not just another 80’s throw back.