From a corner of the world that sometimes seems more intent on bringing back the make-up and hair days of the late 80's (or in the case of WIG WAM the early 70's) Scandinavian outfit MUSTASCH have bucked a localized trend and produced one hell of a piece of polished, supremely produced symphonic heavy rock. Potentially even, one of the albums of the year. And that's despite a name that sounds more suited to a FOGHAT tribute band.

Surprisingly this release is the fourth full length album from the Swedish band but this is definitely the one that could and should see that gain international acclaim. The eleven tracks, concealed within what conversely must be one of the most uninspired covers for years, are for the main part prime slabs of accomplished, commercially accessible heavy metal.

"In The Night" opens the album with superb riffing that could have been lifted from JUDAS PRIEST in the 80s whilst the hook laden "Double Nature" combines strings with more serious riffola and showcases a superb gravelly vocal in a number that could potentially appeal to a wide audience without alienating any existing heavy fan base. Tribal drums, more orchestral effects, huge down tuned rhythms and heavy guitar further embellish a disc that only stalls slightly with the entirely instrumental piece "Scyphozoa" at the mid-point and gets a little messy with the mass samples reprising earlier tracks in the final track "The End".

For all the weighty and at times lyrically menacing stuff on here, perhaps the jewel in the crown is the albums most commercial moment, the superbly overblown and dramatic "Forever Begins Today". Not only has it a title that screams 'Bond Film' at you but it sounds like the best Bond theme never used.

At times through this album I thought of the pomp of DIO, often of IOMMI, at other times METALLICA circa the "Black" album, occasionally caught Gothic influences that touched EVANESCENCE territory and even remembered forgotten Scandi' rockers THE RASMUS. But this band seem to take all of this, wrap it up with a commercial nous similar to the SCORPIONS and mix it into a disc that's yet to leave my playlist and I suspect will remain there for some time to come.

- Leslie

OFFICIAL SITE: www.mustasch.net

RELATED ITEMS: No related articles at this time.