| Jorn The Gathering | Frontiers Records FRCD316 |
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For the uninitiated, Jorn Lande is a vocal God, but doesn't always hang around for long doing whatever he does. 2 albums with progressive metallers Ark, two for Masterplan, one for Millenium, 2 for The Snakes and 2 with Vagabond. He is always on the move, but in between working with an array of other artists and groups, Jorn keeps his solo catalogue ticking over. In my eyes he can do little wrong, but I'm still waiting for that solo masterpiece. To date it has been his band projects that have left more of a mark, but I still remain a faithful fan of the solo work. To mark his return to being a solo artist again, Jorn has recorded two new albums, both featuring new recordings and a few remixed tracks from past recordings. The Gathering is near enough to a greatest hits record, with 16 tracks from his past solo work – some of it re-recorded from scratch and some of it re-mixed especially for the occasion. However, for fans that have everything, there isn't much on offer here to reward you for your dedication. No unreleased songs and the re-recordings aren't far removed from the originals. Yes, the production has definitely been beefed up and is now sonically aligned with the sound style of Jorn's last album The Duke. But the production of the originals was never really an issue anyway. He has always delivered quality recordings. So what The Gathering is best for is those new to Jorn. The 16 tracks here are a perfect example of the best facets of his musical personality, and will be a great starting place to get yourself introduced to him. From the straight ahead hard rock of Worldchanger, Something Real and Where The Winds Blow; to the in your face melodic metal of Young Forever, Tungur Knivur, Sunset Station (brilliant!) and also the more melodic fare such as Bridges Will Burn, House Of Cards, My Own Way (Allen/Lande) and the Millenium track Hourglass – this album features it all.
While there isn't anything new here for long time fans, as stated earlier, the new versions sounds killer and the songs have already proven themselves - so this is best served as an introduction to Jorn for new fans. Check him out already if you have not yet done so!
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17/05/07: cutter - cutter33_us@yahoo.com
21/04/07: ken ahl - kahl1212@hotmail.com
19/04/07: RESTLESS ONE - rocksteady.com
18/04/07: Monster Cock - thenuge1@aol.com
Rating: 90
A good start for new fans of Jorn who don't own his entire collection like so many of his die hard fans do. My only gripe is the blashpemas reworking of the 1st track "Something Real" off Out To Every Nation, that song was "perfect" in my opinion and i told Jorn that when i drank a beer with him at Progpower USA 7 last year when he headlined the 3 day festival. That song needed no re-working and it seems they slicked it up and in doing so took much of the balls out of it. Other than that, alot of the re-work tunes sound Amazing and like i said earlier this will make a great introduction into the world of Jorn for newer fans. But if they wanna hear how diverse this guy can be and is then they should seek out all his other albums/projects!!
Rating: 90
just love this guy. he can do no wrong.loved him in the snakes and every thing sense then.i cant wait for the revenge to come out here in the states.BUT these songs are not far different from the original versions i already own so a 90.
Rating: 94
JORN is one of the best heavy rock vocalists. The Gathering is a Superb collection on the guy's songs. If you like this disc then hunt down on ebay Jorn Lande's past cd's Vagabond s/t & Huge Fan of Life , The Snakes Once Bitten.. ,Ark. Burn the Sun ,Millenium. Hourglass , Masterplan 1 & 2. All Brilliant Masterpiece's in the Jorn history.
Rating: 90
Great review Andrew. I just discovered Jorn by your review of The Gathering and Unlocking picked up both CDs and must say I love the guy...what a voice...what a rocker!!! Rock lives outside of the USA, and thanks to Frontiers Records for still releasing this brand of great melodic hard rock music. A good album for the new fan like me, my only (small) gripe is maybe the sequencing could have been in chronilogical order.
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