LOVE REMAINS THE SAME

I've heard about this band for a couple of years now but to be honest I never had the desire to check them out mainly because of how commercial they supposedly sounded, and also I kept seeing QUEEN mentioned as a reference. Also females apparently often made up the majority of their audience. And yes they are superstars in their home country of Finland. As I combined all these thoughts I just didn't think i'd like the music. Yes I have egg all over my face as I write this (haha). It took a few listens but man did I get sucked into the VON HERTZEN BROTHERS vortex. How do they do that ? MUSE I think is a good reference along with KINGSTON WALL.

"Bring Out The Sun (So Alive)" is the longest track at almost 11 minutes and by far my favourite.The intro is mournful and it goes on and on for almost 4 minutes. It does start to build after 2 minutes and vocals come in just before 4 minutes. A change 5 minutes in as we get silence then synths and strummed guitar. It kicks in at 6 minutes. Hell yeah it does. Some killer organ here and the vocals follow. So emotional. Kicking ass a minute later. Incredible track. "Spanish 411" is guitar and synth led as the organ joins in. Vocals before a minute. Killer stuff. The guitar is lighting it up before 4 minutes. "Freedom Fighter" hits the ground running with lots of piano too. Synths come in just before a minute with vocals. Damn this is so uplifting, then it turns intense once again.

"Somewhere In The Middle" calms down just before a minute with guitar and atmosphere. Reserved vocals and piano before 2 1/2 minutes then it kicks in again. There's a Brian May reference 5 1/2 minutes in. "In The End" is one I enjoy a lot. It kicks in fuller around 2 minutes with a great sounding instrumental section with prominant guitar leading the way. "Faded Photographs" is such a passionate song. "Silver Lover" opens with some cool sounding guitar that reminds me of THE TEA PARTY. Yes there is an Eastern vibe to this one. "I Came For You" has some good contrasts between the laid back and more intense passages. Great section before 3 1/2 minutes with vocals and piano. "The Willing Victim" has a beautiful instrumental intro and we get some violin after 1 1/2 minutes. Reserved vocals follow. It's maybe a little too ballad-like 3 1/2 minutes in when the vocals get more passionate. It's building 6 1/2 minutes in and guitar comes to the fore late. Nice.

So yeah I have to reluctantly give up 4 stars for this one despite my earlier reservations. I'm so glad I checked them out.