If looking at the ratings only on various sites, one would think Otherworlds was yet another boring Swedish power metal album that is best forgotten. Oh not so fast there partner. It is ostensibly a European power metal album, but that would be its only common - and dull - feature. In a parallel universe, one could imagine Rainbow performing this if they'd adopted metal instead of hard rock. And in actuality some of this album is indeed hard rock, but distorted heavily. So yes, some of the riffs recall Ritchie Blackmore circa 1980, and others conjure up Yngwie Malmsteen.
But the kicker to the whole thing is the presence of... the Hammond Organ! Say what? Now Hammond's are not entirely unique in metal, but generally they are relegated to background status, and often times you can't hear it anyway. That's not the case here, and in fact, the organ is featured often, with some wicked soloing. So now pack your Rainbow staff with Jon Lord as well.
Even stranger is the production, which is a complete mess. Everything is in the red zone and distorted. The bass is mixed WAY up front. The winners in this decidedly odd way of producing are both the fuzzy bass and the Hammond. It takes a couple of listens to orient, but once it does, one hears something satisfying and completely different to the norm. It's all very familiar, and yet not like anything else either. For that alone, this comes recommended. Flawed as it may be.
Personal collection
CD: 1998 Canyon (Japan)
Adding to the strangeness, this obscure album not only has a domestic Swedish release, but one also for Japan, which I ended up with in some bulk buy a few years ago (yes, a few years ago - just getting to it!). Anyway, you can get the Swedish CD for pennies on the dollar. This seems just like the type of CD that will be collectible in 10-15 years time.
No comments:
Post a Comment