(Melodic Progressive Heavy Metal) Tears of Anger - Still Alive (Japanese Ed.) - 2004, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

We write the year 2004, the gentlemen Björn and Benny Jansson set out to combine AOR and Metal under the banner of TEARS OF ANGER. OK, the two guys originally started out under the name of MINDCRIME in the early Nineties and still in the Nineties formed TEARS OF ANGER, but that only on the side. An album that they recorded for Montezuma Records completely sunk, never released, after which Benny released TWO ROCKS, with songs that Björn originally had wanted to use for a different project. They continued until they finally decided to reanimate TEARS OF ANGER and go into the studio.

“Still Alive“ is the result of this mission and I must say that the guys do a really good job with it. You will find AOR as well as Power Metal of the Scandinavian school and also several progressive elements to loosen up the whole thing. So the beginning of “The Awakening” reminds me a lot of the Prog masters, with a light EVERGREY touch, before the voice of Björn Jansson sets in and the music also gets straighter to culminate in a very catchy chorus of the Scandinavian school, very good start!

And the following title track proves this even further, showing the Swedes’ ability to combine catchy Rock with powerful guitars and demanding breaks, but without losing track of their goal. “Sword Of Sorrow” shows us the a bit more epic, at times balladesque side of TEARS OF ANGER, but without forgetting to step on the gas a bit, while “Nightmare” right after unleashes double-bass and more intricate guitar lines and celebrate the Scandinavian neo-classical Metal.

Especially in the choruses Björn packs his voice into velvet, while in between, befitting the music, also gets a bit more powerful, especially in combination with the at times surprisingly strong progressive elements, “Revenge Will Come” is the best example for this, here TEARS OF ANGER sound a bit like a bit more progressive JORN in the song structure, a compliment, I’d like to add!

On “Kings Call“ the boys cross over into Melodic Rock, with a lot of groove and a super-catchy, very melodic chorus, which successfully makes sure that to drift off into the unfortunately often rather sappy majority of this style, before letting out a truly monstrous chorus that captures you right away.

A more than good debut, I would say, which definitely hits the target very well, a nice change. If you always had thought that Melodic Rock needed more guitars and that Power Metal would sound so much better with softer choruses, then check out TEARS OF ANGER, chances are good that you won’t regret it!

Review written by Alex for www.metal-observer.co

Bjorn Jansson - Vocals
Benny Jansson - Guitar
Johan Niemann - Bass
Daniel Flores - Drums