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New Music Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal, AOR, Alternative Rock, Alternative Metal
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Radioactive: XXX
Radioactive: XXX
Melodic Hard Rock/AOR
5.0/5.0
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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 09.03.2022 | Released: 11.03.2022
There's a great many veterans in the melodic rock and metal industry. One of those is Swedish guitarist/songwriter/producer Tommy Denander whose resume for working with some many great bands and artists, looks like a who's who of the genre. His Radioactive project, begun in 1991, has often taken a back seat to his ongoing studio work for other bands. But now this talented fellow has returned with his fifth Radioactive album, XXX, which features multiple veteran vocalists including Daniel Byrne, Robbie Lablanc, Jerome Mazza, and Robin McAuley.
Radioactive: Tommy Denander
Simply said, XXX is a killer album. (Which should translate to the reader: buy the album, now.) Denander is at his finest with this one. By this I mean, if there's anything that Mr Denander is very good at it's two things: writing great songs and delivering terrific guitar work. To the former, Denander is able to blend the most important elements in melodic hard rock: song melody and harmony, catchy rock rhythm and groove, and memorable. Add AOR accessibility, perhaps some metal edge, and outstanding guitar solos and you have the perfect musical storm. As for the former, Denander is by far one of the best guitarist's on the planet. With his guitar solos, the man deals. As for the multiple vocals? That's always the wild card and mostly left to your personal taste.
I already said that you should buy this album, immediately. But I want to mention just a few songs, some favorites, that distil all those aforementioned qualities into one song. These would include Move It, Youman Unkind, the very catchy Monkey On Our Backs, and the bit softer AOR anthemic ballad Written In The Scars, featuring popular Norwegian vocalist Christian Ingebrigtsen. Denander's guitar lines terrific, nearly sublime in their tone and efficiency.
All said, Tommy Denander's Radioactive and XXX is a sure hit, some of the best AOR melodic hard rock you will find. Quite recommended. Now I have to make a tough choice for album of the week: Radioactive or the New Horizon debut.
The Take Away
All said, Tommy Denander's Radioactive and XXX is a sure hit, some of the best AOR melodic hard rock you will find. Quite recommended.
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