SHOW ME HOW TO LIVE

After years of albums (in a very honest statement of musical principles), a pair of great singers and always taking the best choices possible (at least in my humble opinion), the master mind behind the Royal Hunt sound has realized that it's the right time to call once more the most notorious frontman (and maybe, a kind of "symbolic figure") in Royal Hunt's sound & history to date.

There was some pressure from outside, from the fans, and even from some local promoters in some places in the world, all those reasons could be "the reason" why DC Cooper has rejoined the band in early 2011.

But the novelty it's not only this, the classic trademark from their music has come back and the characteristic Neo-classic style is on the road once more for the happiness of Royal Hunt's hardcore fans. "Show me how to live" has brought back two punctual things to the band: first, the melodious and almost unique voice of DC Cooper, and second, the return of the band to its Hard/Prog/Classical roots.

The album contains 7 songs in a period not longer than 42 minutes. Well, what exactly can we find on this record that they didn't offer in their latest releases? simple and not that simple to say it at the same time. The first song in the album gives us all that we can ask for a opening track in a Neo-classic Metal record; a convincing intro, catchy melodies, powerful chorus and a perfect assembly between a great voice (DC Cooper still keeps in shape vocally) and a very trained musicians. That exactly is "one more day".

"Another man down" shows a more reposed approachment from DC cooper in his voice, the track includes a short duet with female vocals, besides, the song plays constantly with the chorus but doesn't ruin it.

In the next song, "an empty shell", the band brings back some velocity in its music. Here DC Cooper demonstrates why his high tones (used wisely) are so characteristic in the final result of any Royal Hunt theme. As much the guitar as keyboards are very well made, helping to get better the track.

The fourth track on the album is nothing less than the promotional single of the record, "hard rain's coming" is personally one of my favourite songs from whole work, it has everything; catchy chorus, an interesting developing in DC Cooper's performance along the track, a enjoyable melody. Also I liked about the guitar solo section and how the solo itself helps to give a major deepness to the song.

"Half pass loneliness" is that kind of song that catches you off guard, that is because after listening the whole record, this song stays still in your mind. Here we find a very recommendable task of bass guitar, that holds all the rhythm from the beginning to the end of the theme. Along with "hard rain's coming", this one has a very simple chorus but what the hell!, if it's marked with fire in subconscious to reproduce it again and again.

The title track, "show me how to live" is the only exception in my opinion, the song is long, maybe too long (there's no cohesion on it) and it extends with no apparently reason? only the second half of the track can show some attractive to the listener but not more, even if you compare this one with another long tracks in Royal Hunt's career, you will see (and hear) an abyss of distance, as much in quality as in inspiration, the clearest (and the best) example would be "time will tell" from their classic record "Paradox" from 1997.

But fortunately the end of the album deserves much more than Ok. "angel's gone" is a lesson of how to build a really good Neo-classic Metal song and not fail in the task. We're not going to find the cornerstone of music history here, but they (I mean the five members) really shine on this track!, DC Cooper rules on any note, André Andersen commands the ship like the veteran he's with his keyboards, Jonas Larsen and his guitar do the labour more than right, Andreas Passmark is on control of rhythm with the bass guitar and finally the unknown hero, a very applied drummer Allan Sorensen does a precise work, what a sound from his drums!, not only here but also in every track from "Show me how to live".

Did Royal Hunt recycle ideas? yeah, it's very probably. Did they bring back the classy melody? absolutely, inspired with enough doses of Hard Rock well done, with little pieces of prog-music they put here and there, and a honest sense of what they really know to do like few!.

A review needs objectivity to be done rightly but the other side of reason on this matter, the subjectivity appears suddenly trapping every concept and argument. Only as conclusion I could say that the long wait has been rewarded.

By: Epsilon.