“When it comes to Hartmann it’s all about earthy melodic rock songs with a dollop of blues and modern rock elements”
Hartmann – Balance, this being the fourth album now from the former At Vance frontman Oliver Hartmann. More than just that claim to fame however, Oliver Hartmann possesses some mighty vocal chords which has seen him contribute them to releases from the likes of Avantasia, Edguy, Helloween, Rhapsody and Hammerfall to name but a few. Whereas those forementioned works see Hartmann delivering a more metal oriented performance, when it comes to Hartmann it’s all about earthy melodic rock songs with a dollop of blues and modern rock elements. For the unfamiliar, imagine say a mix of Restless Heart era David Coverdale/Whitesnake, Gotthard at their least bombastic and the latest album from Beggars and Thieves, We Are The Broken Hearted.
The opening trio of All My Life, Like A River and You Are The One kick off the album perfectly, with the three songs incidentally my favourite tracks. Each song with a chorus that will seep into your senses, as opposed to knocking you flat on the floor. Which in a way sums up the album as a whole, there’s nothing mind blowing awesome about what is delivered, but it’s a quality album, no denying that. Harder edged songs such as Fool For You and Save Me at times feel like they are about to step into a higher gear and break out with a fist pumping chorus, but just fall short. Then in contrast, there’s the moody and brooding slower tempo songs which dominate the second half of the album, such as After The Love Is Gone another of my personal favourite tracks. The back to back pairing of Fall From Grace and atmospheric From A Star really slows things down for over 10 minutes, but neither are tracks that really grabbed me. Just when I needed a jolt, that came in the form of the cover of Shout from Tears For Fears, which sees Hartmann deliver one of the albums heaviest tracks, with an industrial, modern take on this classic song. A really cool version of a classic song! The Best Is Yet To Come is a fine closing track, one of Hartmann’s finest vocal performances on this album and some fine melodies that once again will slowly infect you.
If you are a follower of Oliver Hartmann’s previous work, then this is another quality release to add to the collection. If you are new to Hartmann, then as probably the strongest of the four Hartmann releases, this is a great place to introduce yourself to the Hartmann style of melodic rock.
Essential Information
For fans of: Oliver Hartmann and earthy, bluesy melodic rock
Release date: 01 June 2012
Record label: Avenue Of Allies
Website: www.oliverhartmann.com
Tracklisting:
Like A River
You Are The One
Fool For You
After The Love Is Gone
Save Me
Fall From Grace
From A Star
Dance On The Wire
Shout
Time To Face The Truth
The Best Is Yet To Come
