Released by: Metalville
Genre: Hard Rock and Metal
Release date: 25 May 2018
Line up:
Nils Patrik Johansson, – Vocals,
Lars Chriss, – Guitars,
Nils Fredrik Johansson, – Drums,
Andy Loos, – Bass,
Tracklist:
- Baal
- Evil Deluxe
- Estonia
- Gasoline
- How The West Was Won
- September Black
- Kings and Queens
- Burning
- MetalHead
- Circle in The Sky
- Dark Evolution
- A Waltz for Paris
Evil Deluxe is a foray into solo territory for Astral Doors frontman Nils Patrik Johansson. Less of an album and more of a collection of songs Evil Deluxe does not have a flow to it, as such it took a few goes to enjoy this album for what it is. There isn’t a bad song amongst the 12 tracks, however there isn’t a standout one either, they are all just ‘good’, which with the pedigree that Nils has is a disappointment.
The Album opens with a short gravelly vocal track, Baal, which initially gave me the ‘oohh, this could be interesting’ thought, as is more indicative of a death metal album opener. Then track two kicked in, Evil Deluxe, the album’s title track, with a strong intro, but also one that you could envision at the start of a stage show or even introducing Circus of Horrors, I couldn’t help but feel I have heard this before in many guises. However, this could have been a start of a great story contained in this album, but alas with Estonia the album takes a sudden turn, towards where I don’t know. As a track Estonia is perfectly fine, in fact it’s pretty good, with everything you would want from a metal song, strong riffs, a rocking bass line and drum beat and good strong vocals telling a good story, but I can’t help but feel underwhelmed.
Gasoline starts with a bang, with a nice scream and guitar intro, and like the previous track does what it does reasonably well.
Kings and Queens, and Metalhead are the teenage angst songs on the album, exploring the origins of how music enters our lives and consumes us.
The album finishes with A Waltz for Paris. This track brings the album to a suitable end with its melancholy and slowed down tempo. You could possibly waltz to this, but its unlikely to make an appearance on Strictly come dancing. It also goes on possibly one verse to long.
My feelings on this album are a bit confused. I can’t help but feel that I should love it, each and every track has the ingredients that make great metal songs, and released as singles they should do well, but as an album it just feels disjointed and all over the place. I just can’t help but feel a bit ‘meh’ about it, and unlike some albums I have listened to recently this one is probably going to fall off rotation rather quickly and gather dust on the CD rack.
SCORE: 6/10
Reviewed by Kalli Isborne
About Author
