Another "Super
group” not a term I like to use much, but it seems like everyone is doing it
this year. And its Escape Music’s chance this time to impress the listener. Have
they got it right? Well.......when you look at who is involved you would think
they would give it a big shake. But "Ground Zero" is just missing that knock out
punch for me. Vindictiv is the brainchild of Stefan Lindholm (Guitars &
Keyboards, I would never of guessed!!!!) More on that later down the page.
Stefan has got some big guns in to do the shouting. Goran Edman the metal voice
himself, man this guy has been around more then Paris Hilton on YouTube. Oliver
Hartman (Reach Out, I’m Back Home, The Sacrifice) & Mark Boals (Venom) backed by
a very solid rhythm section. So there's no lack of talent on offer here.
Onto the music. This is classic melodic heavy metal along the lines of Balance
of Power or Jorn Lande's solo releases. Great structure for most parts and some
very heavy riffs. But Stefan also adds a nice touch with the use of keyboards.
Gives the music that epic feeling, and then add the talent above on vocals and
this is just candy to the ears. BUT!!!!!!!!!! About half way through every song
the ears start bleeding. The most annoying thing about "Ground Zero" is the
solos. Yes "solos" both keyboards & guitars. In my opinion the solos just do not
fit the songs very well at all. A good example of this is on Golden Gate, or any
track will do for that matter. An awesome song full of great vocals & nice use
of keys. But then Stefan just shreds his ass off in the solo. Now the boy can
play and very well. But he seems to think that every single track must have a
Malmsteen style shredding part in it alternating between keys & guitar and it
just sounds all wrong in the song / songs. And this brings me the other problem
on "Ground Zero". With all the shredding going on "Ground Zero" clocks in around
the 80min mark for 11 tracks. Unfortunately "Ground Zero" is not good enough to
hold your attention for that long. Less solos and this would have been a great
album!!!!!!! Stand out tracks "Venom, Tweedledum And Tweedledee & I'm Back Home"
Bottom Line:
Great vocals with some killer melodic hard rock / metal songs.
Too much
shredding & album time
too long.
