Recent Reviews

May 2025

March 2025

February 2025

January 2025

December 2024

November 2024

[ More Music Reviews ]


Anette Olzon: Strong
Anette Olzon - Strong Album Art

Anette Olzon: Strong

Melodic Symphonic Metal/Rock
3.5/5.0

Facebook Instagram
Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 30.08.2021 | Released: 10.09.2021

We all know Swedish vocalist Anette Olzon who was lifted from the obscurity of the band Alyson Avenue to front uber-symphonic metal band Nightwish in 2007, replacing Tarja Turunen. While less operatic then Turunen, Ms Olzon was a perfect fit for the band. She then became part of two of Nightwish's best albums Dark Passion Play (2007) and the mammoth and monumental Imaginaerum (2011)She split with Nightwish over dubious and conflicting claims to establish a solo career. Her debut solo album Shine appeared in 2014. In 2017, Olzon went on to collaborate with former Sonata Arctica guitarist Jani Liimatainen for their The Dark Element project, releasing the debut album in the same year. Now the talented vocalist returns with her second solo album, Strong featuring songwriting, musicianship, and production from guitarist Magnus Karlsson.

Anette Olzon - Click For Larger Image

Anette Olzon

I've always enjoyed Ms Olzon vocal style and strength. When I heard she was working with one of my favorite composers and guitarist, I was equally pleased, yet with high expectations. While overall the album strays little from the symphonic melodic metal context so familiar to Olzon, yet supported by heavy rock groove. Alternatively, Karlsson's songwriting is rather typical, or predictable, in the arrangements. Generally most songs began with some notion of keyboard and symphonic nuances, his riffs then roll in, and then Olzon's vocals. Of course song melody is at a premium, and song harmony revolves around Olzon's vocal arrangements. And many songs have a quick pace that, when combined with the riffs and symphonic synths, makes the songss fast, heavy, and dense. I Need To Say, Hear Them Roar, and Strong are notable examples of this formula. Even more so, Parasite with its thick bottom end and rabid pacing could easily pass for power metal, symphonic of course. All these things are quite entertaining and expected from the dynamic duo of Olzon and Karlsson. That is, until the harsh growling vocals appear. Perhaps not unexpected, but they appear early within Bye Bye Bye and Sick Of You, but latter also as within Hear Them Roar (among others). Whatever. It's the spirit of modernity in current metal trends. I neither understand it or find it enjoyable. Nevertheless, many fans will find Anette Olzon's Strong to be another fine and entertaining album of symphonic melodic where her voice can shine.




CraigHartranft.net - New fiction, crime fiction by Craig Hartranft

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

The Take Away

Many fans will find Anette Olzon's Strong to be another fine and entertaining album of symphonic melodic where her voice can shine.

Find A Review

Alphabetical Index

a b c d e f g h i j
k l m n o p q r s t
u v w x y z #
New & Notable
Read the Gotthard: Stereo Crush Album Review

Here's a fun fact about Swiss legends, Gotthard: their last 16 releases, excepting their debut album, went to number one in their home country, making them one of Switzerland's most successful acts and ... [ Read More ]

February 2025 Stats
  • Views: 13K
  • Active Users: 3.5K
  • New Users: 2.8K
  • Event Count: 39K

    • Source: Google Analytics