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THORBJÖRN ENGLUND - Influences
Lion Music
Release Date: 2006-05-19
by: JASON SAGALL
www.metalexpressradio.com |
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Thorbjörn Englund is no slouch when it comes
to technical chops and emotive playing in the
modern guitar arena, and then some. In fact,
fans inspired by Thorbjörn's work with his Power
Metal outfit, Winterlong, may be curious to hear
a sampling of discrete musical pieces that more
directly reflect the variety of musical styles
that inspired Thorbjörn. Influences
will treat fans and others to just that.
Counting up 16 tracks, 12 of which clock in
at 1 to 2 1/2 minutes each, Influences
is a musical amusement park with lots of fun but
short rides, and no waiting in line. Each piece
cuts to the chase and has some thrill or
entertaining aspect to offer, albeit over rather
quickly. Most tracks are nods to other players
or styles familiar to most listeners in the Rock
world. It's a small world, after all.
Influences contains mostly Thorbjörn
originals, some new, some old, all
instrumentals. Many of the compositions are
basically demonstrations or adaptations of one
or more of Thorbjörn's favorite musicians'
pieces or styles. Indeed they are compositions
in the strict sense, not gross digressions of
the Shred kind (thankfully). Since most of the
tunes are short instrumental flights,
development is minimal, with the central purpose
of showcasing a short theme, catchy groove, or
melodic line.
Two easily recognizable influences are Joe
Satriani and Yngwie Malmsteen. As Winterlong
fans know, a general Neo-Classical Rock feel is
a staple of Thorbjörn's, and it finds its way
into many of the tunes more than any other
single style. However, the styles performed
range from Flamenco to Mozart. Thorbjörn reveals
himself here as a musician's musician, beyond
what one might infer from his Winterlong project.
The Devil's advocate will find the downside
of the disc to be the derivative quality of
those pieces that appear to mirror the style of
a single player. Imitation may be the sincerest
form of flattery, but it is those pieces that
flatter Thorbjörn the least. In
addition, the production quality on the
recordings is not quite up to professional
standards and is more on the level of a
high-quality demo, where sound (not performance)
is concerned.
Thorbjörn clearly takes enjoyment in playing
— that sense comes through in the music and rubs
off on the listener. His performances here do
sound truly inspired. Interestingly, the most
meaningful pieces are the ones that have a less
readily identifiable influence, the ones that
are less homage to this player or that — the
ones that most reflect Thorbjörn himself.
Alas, the brevity of the tunes does not do
justice to Thorbjörn — whose individual style is
entertaining in its own right and demands the
breadth of an album of long instrumentals, which
he is undoubtedly capable of creating.
Nonetheless, Influences will be a bonus
for those who are already Winterlong fans and
following the career of Thorbjörn Englund; and
for those who are not, the album might just
influence them to sit up and take notice.
For more information on Influences,
including Thorbjörn Englund's comments on each
track, visit
Lion Music.
Metal Express Radio reviews of Winterlong
releases:
Metal/Technology
Winterlong
The Second Coming
Winterlong's official Web site:
Winterlong.org |
Thorbjorn Englund – Influences
2006 Lion Music
It’s axe attack time!!!! For Winterlong’s
Thorbjorn Englund, his appropriately titled solo
album is simply what it states, influences, and yes
that is in the plural sense. Definitely a lot of
fluid playing going on, taking the place of a
vocalist, as if the axe was singing the lyrical
content of the song, hence we have a lot of melodies
at stake.
But the main thing that is the focus of the album is
the fact that there are several different styles
present. The opener “Jesus Stole My Harley” could
very well be one of the best Satriani tracks, that
isn’t by the Satch himself, but nevertheless, there
are high elements of progressive thrash (“Flying”),
flamenco (“A Flame of Flamenco”), neo-classical in
the style of Rising Force (“Demonica”), and dark
classical balladry (“The Abyss”) among other metal
melded fusion styles that procure Influences’
backbone.
Even with the different styles in play, the record
flows very well, which makes it far from being
redundant; marking for an album of pure six-string
splendor on the senses.
Added: May 10th 2006
Reviewer: Tommy
Hash
www.ytsejam.com
Score:
Related Link:
Thorbjorn Englund Link
Thorbjorn Englund
Influences Lion Music
by Matthew Hoffman
www.hardrockhaven.net
Staff Writer
Comments: The long time Winterlong axe monster Thorbjorn
Englund releases a solo instrumental virtuoso guitar
album, and from the first riff, you realize this has
been a long time coming. WOW! The album is entitled
Influences and is just that a collection of metal
guitar work that encompasses Thor's passions. Rare is
there a European that gets the importance of strong
metal riffing as well as all the speed and dynamic fret
board wizardry on an instrumental project.
The first song "Jesus Stole My Harley" is as wild and
crazy as its moniker, but oh so much more. This sick
bastard goes nuts but never forgets his metal roots.
Next up is the equally impressive "Heart of Fire" which
is like an early Satriani number on steroids. The third
track "Demonica" is one of the best "fast" virtuoso
guitar songs you will ever hear. The speeds are
outrageous, but even better, the scales and tones he
uses are completely unique. And the best part is the
wonderful rhythm chosen to carry this Mach 3 journey.
Well you get the picture folks -- this is the modern day
version of CACOPHONY. Yes you read that correctly, the
material here is as good as Friedman and Becker's
project. Shit it's as good as anything Satriani, Lynch
or Vai have done in the past 10 years as well.
This project vaults Englund right into the Polak,
Fareri, Eklundh mix as Europe's best new fiddlers. The
songs are relatively short, ranging from 2 to 4 minutes,
but all of them pack enough punch to stop an elephant in
his tracks. Englund is great at writing tight catchy
melodies too, which gives his amazing technique a home.
He never seems to be aimlessly showing off. The most
intriguing track is "A Flame of Flamenco" where his
picking is superb and his sentiment out of this world.
There even is expert bass guitar thrown in for your
bassheads. Heck, he even plays the piano with
breathtaking precision on the guitarless "Beautiful
Beyond."
Talk about a complete outstanding effort. This guy can
pick pluck and shred his Viking ass off! This smells as
an early candidate for album of the year. So what the
hell are you waiting for? Get your guitar loving asses
online and pick up one. And go to
www.lionmusic.com; it even has a great story from
the man himself describing several of the motivations
behind these spectacular tracks.
Band Members
Thörbjorn Englund - All instruments except…
Leif Erikson - Drums
Track listing:
1. Jesus Stole My Harley
2. Heart Of Fire
3. Demonica
4. Siberian Nights
5. Winds Of Change
6. Wicked Child
7. Walking On The Edge
8. A Flame Of Flamenco
9. Flying
10. Princess Lane
11. Notes From The Dark Side
12. Devilina
13. W.A.M Goes Electric
14. The Abyss
15. Beautiful Beyond
16. Vikings Tomb
HRH Rating: 9.3/10
Thorbjorn ENGLUND
Influences
Lion Music LMC174
Debut solo album from this guitar wizard, an instrumental set, and it
kicks off in amazing fashion. The former Winterlong axeman plays a
decent riff and knows how to weave in a tune and a rhythm, all in the
opening track “Jesus Stole My Harley”.
“Heart Of Fire” is equally catchy, and “Demonica” adds touches of both
classic and classical metal. Englund’s fingers flash from shred to riffs
and back again.
Sadly he doesn’t quite have the Gary Moore touch so the slower material
doesn’t work so well, but when he does pick up the pace it’s thoroughly
enjoyable.
“Wicked Child” has an almost Iron Maiden style gallop in the intro.
If you have any interest in top metal guitar of various styles, you’ll
love this. Catchier than shred too.
Joe - GET READY TO ROCK!
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Thorbjorn Englund - Influences
(Lion Music) By: Joe Florez |
Thorbjorn is the guitar virtuoso that is behind
Winterlong who I have constantly ragged on
because his music ripped off Yngwie to a tee on
the self titled third effort, and while his
latest “Metal/Technology” was better, it was
just too experimental and it didn‘t fly too
high. I can say now for once that the man has
found his niche by releasing his debut solo
record. He, of course plays everything but the
drums. There is a definite Joe Satriani vibe on
the first couple of cuts. “Jesus Stole My
Harley” reminds me of a cut off of “Surfing With
Then Alien.” The licks are tough and rugged, but
performed quite well. He doesn’t try to go
overboard with his talents. It’s simple,
consistent and catchy. Great way to start off
the show. Reading the liner notes of these songs,
Mr. Englund says that “Heart Of Fire” was a
track that was inspired by an old 80s video game
named Castlevania. What you get here is a very
synthetic cut that is poppy and cheesy, but fun
to listen to in this day and age. Had it been 20
years ago, I think people would have freaked
over this. Once again this reminds of something
from the Satriani catalogue via “Not Of This
Earth.” “Demonica” is a shred fest with all of
the Swedish influences intact, while “Siberian
Nights” continues in this vein, but adding a bit
of neo-classical to the mix. This record really
delivers in terms of being dynamic and diverse.
You get straight up metal cuts with distortion “Flying.”
The Spanish/Flamenco style dominates “A Flame Of
Flamenco”, but with class and it just goes all
over the place in between. The term
experimentation works best here because this is
not a band that fans want to hear the same
consistency over and over again. While a ton of
the drumming sounded more programmed than real,
I’ll cut it some slack because this is just
something created out of fun. Thor has crafted
these compositions with lots of care and time
and it shows. It’s obvious that he is inspired
by a lot of styles and individuals and he crams
it all on here. I think the man is a talent, but
when it comes time to pump out another
Winterlong disc, I just hopes that he can focus
on just one or two styles without going schitzo
on it. The sixteen numbers on here are short and
more than a joy to listen to. While some may not
think this is the most original piece of art on
here, there are some golden nuggets contained
within. www.lionmusic.com
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