LOVE REMAINS THE SAME

I´m absolutely charmed by this album and somewhat surprised that these three Finnish prodigies (& Co. of course) are relative unknown inside or outside Prog Rock community! Five stars are fully outright here, because that´s a masterpiece without any doubts!!!

The first star is for vocals. Naturally, this is the strongest link of Von Hertzen Brothersand the first thing which comes first to everyone´s mind. Vocal range of Mikko is really unbelievable, I mean boldly comparable with legendary Freddie Mercury. (Besides, everyone can find their excellent cover version of Bohemian Rhapsody on YouTube...) But his timbre is clear and soft also in heigths. Harmony vocals, on the other hand, remind (unless Queen) perhaps Crosby, Stiil & Nash or even The Beatles...

The second star is for sound. There is a marvellous blend of guitars (including my favourite Telecaster), playing most often heavy riffs like e.g. Porcupine Tree, then Kuoppala´s keyboards (including my favourite Hammond organ), Kaakkurinniemi´s energic and glowing drums and, incidentally, other instruments - sitar, flute, trumpet, knackers, etc.

The third star is for tunes. Simply, pleasant, easy-to-remember, but not catchy. Most emphatic melodies are: Bring Out The Sun, Freedom Fighter, I Came For You, The Willing Victim.

The fourth star is for songwriting and arrangements. This is really strong and one of reasons why VHB is rightfully included in Prog Archives. Usual song structure "verse - refrain - verse", isn´t used here at all. Frequent changes of rhythm, tempo or dynamic range - that´s also typical elements for Prog - and for this album, of course. Every song is actually little epic (except above mentioned excellent and concededly the best song of the album - Bring Out The Sun, this is namely real Epic).

The fifth star is for production. All instruments, including aforesaid vocals, are clearly hearable and properly mixed. Nothing is protuberant, nothing is tucked.

For your last endeavor

Are you ready now?

For Love that lasts forever

Are you ready now?

For the final journey

Are you ready now?

To find the end for yearning

Are you ready now?

(From "I Came For You")

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