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Free Fall
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Magnus Karlsson
Free Fall
2013
Melodic Rock
Brian Rademacher
N/A
www.facebook.com/MAGNUSKARLSSONSFREEFALL

Rating:
5.0 Stars

Guitarist and songwriter Magnus Karlsson (LAST TRIBE/PRIMAL FEAR) has out done himself on his first solo effort Free Fall. The man himself has accumulated so many accolades threw his music career but it’s only scratching the surface of stardom with his debut offering to hit the masses in June 2013 and with the barrage of high profile guest vocalists the disc should shine.

I’ve been listening over and over again to the disc and with all the guest vocalists many times fans are disappointed at some point because of dislikes of particular vocalists but this is not the case here. Even if you’re not familiar with a certain vocalist you will become an instant fan. The songwriting is to perfection, the music is phenomenal and the disc is pure pleasure.

The disc starts off with the title track “Free Fall” with guest vocalist Russell Allen (SYMPHONY X/ADRENALINE MOB). Starting with class filled instrumental goodness that runs into a DIO aura tune yet busts through with a full adrenaline rush.
I mean this track explodes with delight. The jaw dropping guitar work by Magnus is outstanding and Russell Allen is flawless. “Higher” keeps the fuel burning with Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR, GAMMA RAY) handling the lead vocals. What a chilling song that will rise with every moment. Scheepers pushes the excitement with some of the best vocals on the disc.I’m not taking a damn thing away from the others because the complete disc is platinum and with Karlsson’s fluttering guitar work the song is massive.

Karlsson steps into the vocal spotlight with “Heading Out”. A song mild in approach but will uplift sprits of melodic rock fans that will be overjoyed by the sensitive side of Karlsson. Love those additional keys on the track.

If you are looking for the homerun ball check out Mr. Tony Harnell (TNT, STARBREAKER) on “Stronger”. A power ballad that will gain enormous attention. Harnell reaches an unbelievable high point during the chorus. Killer track….Karlsson’s soaring guitar work is icing on the cake.

“Not My Saviour” featuring Rick Altzi (MASTERPLAN/AT VANCE) starts off with tantalizing keys that runs into a combustion of heavy duty guitar and drums and with the throttling bass lines the house will come down. Rick Altzi is simply put a star that shines bright. Do I sound redundant saying I love this song and that song? Well get used to it because there is still more amazing songs to be heard. This is one of the heavier songs but flows so well and the lyrics are woven so well it can’t be ignored.Karlsson will blow you to pieces with the guitar work on this one.

“Us Against The World” David Readman (PINK CREAM 69/VODOO CIRCLE) takes center stage on an AOR shining star. The song has all the elements of top ten songs worldwide. It don’t matter what genre this one’s a gem.

“Our Time Has Come” with Mark Boals (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN/THE CODEX) takes the reins. Over and over again each song changes your mood from excited to ecstasy. No letting fans down as Karlsson’s song writing shows what a veteran in the music industry can do as a huge talent. You also have to give great credit to Serafino Perugino President of Frontiers Records for believing in his artist’s ala Karlsson in his debut solo release.

“Ready or Not” Magnus Karlsson once again stands tall with stepping to the forefront. Karlsson’s vocals are really exceptional and are molded to appease the listener. The song has killer uplifting guitar work and has highs and lows with directional changes from mild to hard hitting.

“Last Tribe” with Rickard Bengtsson (LAST TRIBE) takes the vocal spotlight of a tremendous song that will pummel your senses during the chorus. I feel the chorus makes Bengtsson push the intensity and excitement of the song.

Herman Saming (A.C.T ) stands center stage on “Fighting”. This one’s ready for the arena. I am not familiar with Saming but this could be my favorite track. His smooth approach and high pitched vocals that favor my attention is huge in my book. Kinda has that same flare of one of my favorite singers C. J. Snare of FIREHOUSE.

“Dreamers & Hunters” sees Mike Andersson (STAR ONE/FULL FORCE) handling the vocals that keep pace with all the tracks on this melodic gem. The song writing again pocesses the gold and Andersson’s vocals are a key part.

“On Fire” ends the disc in high fashion with Karlsson’s superb acoustic guitar work and where his vocals stand out. The acoustic in the beginning of the track opens to a full blown dream that puts this is disc on the BEST release of 2013 list. If you’re looking to add any disc to your collection this year than this is the one!


Band Lineup:
  • Magnus Karlsson – Guitars, Vocals
  • Daniel Flores- Drums

 

Track Listing:
  1. Free Fall (lead vocals: Russell Allen)
  2. Higher (lead vocals: Ralf Scheepers
  3. Heading Out (lead vocals: Magnus Karlsson)
  4. Stronger (lead vocals: Tony Harnell)
  5. Not My Saviour (lead vocals: Rick Altzi)
  6. Us Against The World (lead vocals: David Readman)
  7. Our Time Has Come (lead vocals: Mark Boals)
  8. Ready or Not (lead vocals: Magnus Karlsson)
  9. Last Tribe (lead vocals: Rickard Bengtsson)
  10. Fighting (lead vocals: Herman Saming)
  11. Dreamers & Hunters (lead vocals: Mike Andersson)
  12. On Fire (lead vocals: Magnus Karlsson)

 


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