Released by: From The Vaults
Release Date: 23 September 2022
Genre: Melodic Hard Rock
Links: http://www.meridianband.dk/
Lineup:
Lars Märker: vocals
Martin J. Andersen: lead and rhythm guitars
Marco Angioni: lead and rhythm guitars
Peter Bruun: bass
Klaus Agerbo: drums
Tracklist:
1. Warning Shots
2. Life Is Today
3. Stay
4. Follow Your Heart
5. Trust
6. Dreamers
7. Say That You Want Me
8. The Road Back To Hell
9. Remove Your Crown
10. The Fourth Dimension
I’ll be the first one to admit we sometimes overlook the ability to pick up on small releases simply because so much music gets released every week of the year. It seems insane to try to put your ears on so much music, so often bands do get overlooked. There is only enough time in the day for music.
One group that low-key has been making some interesting music, is the Dutch band Meridian. I recall their debut “Metallurgy”, when I first checked it out I couldn’t help but notice the high-quality material that they put out. Unbeknown to me at the time, they did leave an impression on me for future music for sure and a band to check out. This release was in 2013, they have released two other records since then, and each pretty freaking good in its own right. Now we have their 4th offering aptly titled “The 4th Dimension” and what you get here is a slab of Scandanavian Melodic Hard Rock with some nice blissful undertones.
Is hard to quantify these guys into any category of music/genre, they are Melodic Rock but can be heavy at times, with some cool guitar tones and vocal lines from singer Lars Märker. A little Metal too in some of their undertones, groovy and powerful when rhythm kicks in. A little bit of everything into one melting pot of sounds.
The record gets right into it with a super melodic number “Warning Shots” which the choruses make it a point of emphasis real quickly. The same is delivered with “Stay”, another high anthem-Esque groovy tune, with some nice dual guitar hooks courtesy of guitar players Martin J. Andersen and Marco Angioni. The guys keep the chain rolling as “Trust” marks another strong number, superb melodies, and again the twin guitar attack is arranged with precision and kinship. The prime cuts continue with “Say That You Want Me”, giving a feel of Whitesnake at its most melodic, another hot number. The whole record from top to bottom is outstanding, no fillers needed.
I can see the resemblances in comparison to bands like Pretty Maids and Eclipse, but I won’t put them in that category. They do stand on their own and that is a good thing. I will say there are also enough proggy touches that put out influences of 80’s bands of rocks past. To me, the hooks and choruses stand out on their own, and the guitars are super crunchy and melodic, that is indeed what makes this record a strong one. If you are in the market for checking out really good Melodic Hard Rock bands while steering a bit out of the ordinary stuff you normally get, you will surely have to check out Meridian’s latest effort. Do it!!!
Score: 8/10
Reviewed by: Shadow Editor
About Author
- Danish
- Super Melodic
- Groove
- 8
