FATE: Reconnect 'n Ignite (MELODIC HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Forty years ago, Hank Sherman (the genesis of Mercyful Fate) and Peter Steincke created Fate. The former left the band two years later, but the latter continued the fight. Indeed, it was a real obstacle course for the combo to survive, as the air holes through which the band passed bear witness. The latest no-man's-land has come to an end with the arrival of “Reconnect 'n Ignite”, the Danes' seventh opus, eleven years after the acclaimed “If Not For The Devil”.

Once again, the crew's instability reigned supreme. Bassist Peter Steincke remains the only original member of the quintet. But the major event lies elsewhere, behind the microphone, where Per Johansson makes his comeback. The frontman has left his mark on Fate's history, not only because of his distinctive voice, but also because he was involved in the band's two best albums: “Scratch'NSniff” (1990) and “V” (2006). In terms of musical genre, while “If Not For The Devil” was calibrated as borderline FM melodic hard rock, the new album is resolutely melodic metal.

The opening track, 'Around The Sun', does little to prepare us for these sounds, so much so that it resembles what the Danes usually produce. 'Reason For Everything' is the band's first glimpse of metal, as the combo unleashes riffs and angry vocals reminiscent of Accept's misdeeds. I'm On Fire' and its metallic rock'n'roll, 'Running' and its telluric guitars, and 'Under The Gun' are of the same muscular ilk, while 'Children Of A Lesser God' makes the forge glow even more, and evokes Judas Priest. Admittedly, we sometimes find Fate more appeased, as on the more melodious 'This Won't Last', but the compositions, boosted by the highly aggressive interpretation of the vocalist, are mostly sent out with more force than in the past.

More melodic metal than melodic hard rock, this new offering from the Danes may come as something of a surprise to followers expecting a rehash of the previous opus. Nevertheless, thanks to their frontman, they won't find themselves in totally unfamiliar territory, and should appreciate this “Reconnect 'n Ignite”, which does the job, without filling us with any sense of ease if we compare it to its predecessor. - Official website

FATE

RECONNECT 'N IGNITE

FRONTIERS RECORDS

MELODIC HARD ROCK