AIRSTREAM - Kingdom Of Isolation
May 12, 2015, 8 years ago
(Metalville)
Swedish melodic rockers, Airstream, featuring vocalist Staffan “Stiff” Karlsson (ex-Sky Of Rage), guitarist Mathias Brask, drummer Tommy Moon and former Thunder bassist Micke Höglund, blend modern prog and classic rock influences with an AOR flavor on its debut full-length release, Kingdom Of Isolation. “The Power Of Music” starts the album off in fine fashion with swirling guitar leads, pulsating keyboard rhythms and vivacious vocals that fans of Europe, Toto and Saga will surely eat up. Next track “Hold On To What We Got” is a brilliant, upbeat AOR rocker with a catchy chorus. But the album’s centerpiece has to be “Oh Mother Oh Father,” which is decorated with huge, operatic, multi-layered vocal harmonies, recalling Queen at the height of their ’70s rock reign.
Throughout the disc, Karlsson’s vocals are spot-on, recalling Ian Gillan at his best, yet not as over-the-top. There’s a nice balance between the guitars and keyboards, which play a big part in the melodic song structures. Guest appearances from Kee Marcello (ex-Europe) and Thomas Larsson (ex-Glenn Hughes Band) can be heard on songs "You Had The World In Your Hands" and “The Power Of Music”. Although there are a few too many mid-tempo moments, Kingdom Of Isolation is a shining gem that will please the classic rockers as well as the AOR aficionados.
