SHIRAZ LANE: Forgotten Shades Of Life (HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

With "Carnival Days", Shiraz Lane managed to make their mark on the world of Scandinavian hard rock, right from their second album. Four years on, the Finnish quintet are back after leaving Frontiers, a risky move in terms of media exposure but one that proves the non-conformist nature of the Vantaa-based band. This augurs well for a band who had hooked us with their ability to integrate surprising elements into a musical base respectful of the foundations laid in the 80s by a few now-legendary names.

In fact, it's the shadow of Skid Row that looms over 'Back To Life', which kicks off the hostilities with power, immediately highlighting the vocal assets of Hannes Kett and the talented complementarity of the pair formed by Jani Laine and Miki Kalske. Equipped with all these qualities, the start of the tracklist nonetheless seems to stick to relatively classic territory, incorporating a touch of funk here ('Maniac Dance') or more FM there ('Scream'). It's all catchy and very effective, but struggles to repeat the freshness of the previous album.

Fortunately, the eponymous track sets the record straight. Slow and heavy, adorned with oriental and psychedelic touches, 'Forgotten Shades Of Life' is an ambitious and adventurous piece at the heart of which an astonishing saxophone solo restores the spirit that left its mark on 2018. What follows is a succession of tracks combining hard-hitting elements with unpredictable ideas. From chainsaw-like riffs ('Animal'), anthemic choruses ('Disconnect From The Matrix') and even a jazzy instrumental ('Who's Watching?') to the wacky 'Imagination'. From a bucolic introduction to a Hispanic solo, unpredictable tempo variations and vocals worthy of Michael Jackson, nothing is spared.

And yet, just like this final act, the surprising nature of 'Forgotten Shades Of Life' is what makes it so rich and endearing. Each track deserves to be listened to several times to discover its full richness, while remaining unstoppably catchy. While the third album is often a tricky one, Shiraz Lane passes the test with flying colours and seems set to establish its refreshingly atypical identity once and for all. - Official website

SHIRAZ LANE

FORGOTTEN SHADES OF LIFE

INDIE RECORDINGS

HARD ROCK