Released by: AOR Heaven
Release date: 30 November 2015
Genre: Hard Rock
Links: Facebook
Lineup:
J. Laneby – Bass
Stefano Marchesini – Lead Vocals
Magnus Mild – Guitar
Johan Hall – Drums
Gabriel Glamheden – Keyboards And Hammond Organ.
Track Listing:
01. Roots & Wings
02. One In A Million
03. High Five (Album Version)
04. 316
05. I Need A Drink
06. Eyes From Above
07. Don’t Come To Me
08. Here And Now
09. Kicked To The Ground
10. Follow The Trends
11. Cold Wind Blows
12. Mother Of All
New Swedish classic hard rock band Major Instinct is the brainchild of M.ILL.ION founder, main songwriter and bass guitarist B.J Laneby. After 25 years, seven highly critically acclaimed albums, six figure sales and international touring, Laneby decided to put M.ILL.ION to rest and start something new. The decision was partly sparked after the bassist became very ill and nearly died at the end of their last UK tour (June / July 2014). Major Instinct became reality after several months of intensive care. The line-up includes: Laneby himself on bass, Stefano Marchesini (ex-Human Race) lead vocals, Magnus Mild on guitar, Johan Hall (ex- M.ILL.ION) on drums and 22 year old newcomer Gabriel Glamheden on keyboards and Hammond organ.
“Roots And Wings” was produced at Rabbit Hole Studios in Gothenburg. Guitarist Mild was given the engineering duties, Victor Olsson took care of the mix and Martin Kronlund (at JM Studio) mastered the album.
“High Five” is a straight, catchy rock ‘n roll song with a positive message. It was chosen as the first single. A video clip was shot to accompany the track and was released just two weeks ago.
Track 1”Roots And Wings” starts off with mellow guitars and keys, gradually building up until the drums kicks in with a searing voice. The great grand organ whilst in the background continues throughout this track.
Track 2 “One In A Million” starts with a drumbeat straight from Geronimo himself! Guitars and organ kick in supported by some more of the searing vocals, riffs and licks a plenty. This feels like a very classic Whitesnake and Deep Purple kind of sound. However, this sound is evident throughout much of the album.
Track 3, which is the title track “High Five”, starts with a melodic vocal outburst and settles into a classic sing-a-long anthem. The track features some great riffs, which will have you picking up that air guitar and reaching for the stars as you belt out “Gimme High Five And Show The World We Can Do It Together”.
Track 4 “316” starts out as a flat-out rocker and continues with awesome riffs and licks. The rhythm slows for the vocals at every verse then suddenly. “Pow!!!” “Welcome To 316!” There is a great solo in this track as well.
Track 5 “I Need A Drink” is well; you guessed it; a drinking song! It starts off with a vocal track that could’ve come straight off a classic Whitesnake track. If you didn’t know it, you could swear you were listening to David Coverdale himself. In fact it sways from classic Whitesnake to Deep Purple and with a hint of something new.
Track 6 “Eyes From Above” is the ballad of the album with slower keys and guitars. The track is mixed with great vocals and is a great melodic ballad, which boasts a great solo too.
Track 7 “Don’t Come To Me” picks up the pace again reminding us we are listening to a rock album. Another great riff driven, drum thudding rocker that will have you in rock and roll meltdown as your air guitar hits melting point.
Track 8 “Here And Now” has the feel of another Whitesnake stadium anthem. It features great hooks and a sing-a-long chorus. Another great solo here too and there is even room for some ”shoo-whoop-dee-doo-whop”.
Track 9 “Kicked To The Ground” features some rumbling bass which kicks us off and is soon joined by a guitar track of pure joy. Again the track feels like a stadium rocker with a great sing-a-long chorus.
Track 10 “Follow The Trends” is a new version of an old M.ill.ion track and has a classic Rainbow sounding vibe about it. The track boasts not only a guitar solo but also an organ solo midway through and makes it a very catchy track.
Track 11 “Cold Wind Blows” guitar riffs kick us off before the attack of Coverdale-esque vocals in a pure classic sounding Whitesnake/Purple track. The track features more of the heavy classic organ mixed with modern sounding guitars.
Track 12 “Mother Of All” the grand urgan starts us off in another ballad-esque. Some pure classic soulful vocals remind us of what a powerful singer Stefano is.
Overall this album is a must have to add to your collection. It features no fillers and every track is a classic in the making. If you are a fan of classic rock with a just enough of a modern edge, this album has you covered. Certainly has to be high on Santa’s list this year
Written by: Shane Bradely
Ratings: Shane 9/10
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