ALIEN

(SWEDEN)

INTO THE FUTURE

(2020)
LABEL:

AOR HEAVEN

GENRE:

A.O.R.

TAGS:
Easy-Listening
"Alien has hardened the tone with this "Into The Future" without losing its melodic verve. That's a great achievement!"
LYNOTT (16.12.2020)  
4/5
(0) opinions (0) comment(s)
With a platinum disc in 1987, three albums composed under the protection of Def Leppard's producer, a signature with the manager of AC/DC, apparitions in television shows and shot a video clip with the director of those of "Hysteria" (Def Leppard), Alien's career was well launched. Unfortunately, the departure of three of his progenitors, including his frontman Jim Jidhed, a flop with the second album and incessant staff movements made the band fall into oblivion... Until its fugitive rebirth in 2005 ("Dark Eyes"). But it is thanks to its more return in 2014 with "Eternity" that the Swedes took again some colors. "Into The Future" was thus eagerly awaited. 

Alien is today a trio composed for its two thirds of original members, who entrusted Erik Martensson, the guitarist/vocalist of Eclipse, with the mastering and mixing of this seventh album. This fact is important, because the Scandinavians have hardened the tone, and the fellow is certainly not foreign to it. Accustomed to AOR style of the combo, we are, from the very beginning of the opus, surprised by the aggressiveness of the first tracks. 'You Still Burn' indeed swings us without warning its aggressive riffs in jerking, while Jidhed scotches us with an astonishing introductory cry. 

The continuation proves to be even more suprising. Thus, the excellent 'Night Of Fire' reminds us of Garry Moore's 'Over The Hills And Far Away', 'War Scars' and its chorus almost turns into melodic metal and the muscular 'What Are We Fighting' is very close to Leppard on its chorus. As for the eponymous title and 'In Her Eyes', even if it develops easy listening melodies, its tone is nevertheless rather dynamic. 'Time Is Right' reminds us Eclipse in AOR mode, 'Freedom Wind' and 'Fallin Way Down' reminds us Journey and the pretty ballad 'Children',  Steve Perry, but these few less "in-your-face" tracks won't prevent us from certifying that Alien has mutated.

This more aggressive aspect will inevitably be noted by fans and possibly criticized by hardcore AOR fans. However, Alien has not become a metal band, and this "Into The Future", full of qualities, should be enjoyed by hard rockers of all kinds. Anyone with a passion for melodious sounds developed in a sufficiently catchy atmosphere will necessarily be one of them.
- Official website
SIMILAR BANDS:
ECLIPSE, JOURNEY

TRACK LISTING:
01. You Still Burn
02. Night Of Fire
03. War Scars
04. Time Is Right
05. What Are We Fighting For
06. Into The Future
07. Freedom Wind
08. Really Wheeling It
09. Fallin Way Down
10. In Her Eyes
11. Children

LINEUP:
Jim Jidhed: Chant
Toby Tarrach: Batterie
Tony Borg: Guitares
   
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