MyStreamz.com CD Reviews

Olaf Thorsen is back again with another piece that will give you more than fifty minutes of great music with a new album called 'The Perfect Machine'. This one is not so heavy as its predecessor but in this case that is no problem. It is even more melodic, there is still power but now even better balanced and there is no need for speed anymore. I could describe this album as being power AOR. It seems that Olaf has decided to write his music more around Michael Luppi's voice. Although this guy could really sing in a much heavier category his voice just fits better in a more melodic direction. This is something Michael Luppi proved this year with his solo album called 'Strive'. That one was more an AOR thing than a power metal album. So now Olaf threw two styles in a blender and came up with this magnificent piece. Again there is a story around which all the songs are written. It is about a scientist who has discovered a way for men to be virtually immortal. If you like to know more about this story you should visit the band's website someday, I am sure the story will be revealed, just like the band did with their previous album. Some of the highlights on this album are 'God Is Dead', a mixture of heavy riffs, beautiful vocals and some sparkling keyboard tunes here and there. This song has it all, one moment it is fast and furious then it turns into melodic miracle. Another fine tune is the ballad 'Here In 6048'; just listen to the capability of the highly trained vocals (V.I.T. in Los Angeles) of Michael Luppi and the smooth guitar sound of master Olaf. This album is a true present for a wide audience, which by the way has been produced by Stratovarius' Timo Tolki.