Unisonic - New Album

Symphony

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Jan 8, 2002
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www.power-quest.co.uk
UNISONIC ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM AND EP 'FOR THE KINGDOM':
Two years after their celebrated eponymous debut album German hard rock supergroup Unisonic which includes Michael Kiske, Kai Hansen, Dennis Ward, Mandy Meyer and last but not least Kosta Zafiriou is back with a new record that will be released on July 25. As a foretaste of their eagerly awaited sophomore album the band will release the EP 'For The Kingdom', which contains two new songs and four live tracks, on May 23.

Rock and metal fans had to wait many many years – 23 to be exact – before it finally happened: German metal icons Kai Hansen and Michael Kiske, who kicked off German Metal trailblazers Helloween's international triumph with the two 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys' records at the end of the 80s, got back together again. Again? Yes, again: Hansen quit Helloween in 1989 to found Gamma Ray while Kiske left four years later to attend to his solo projects. Even though the band already formed a year before Kai joined them but it was his involvement that made Unisonic a so-called supergroup.
The two congenial musicians' new baby was called Unisonic and instantly aroused enthusiasm in the rock and metal community. Their first single 'Unisonic' got well over 150.000 YouTube clicks in just a few days after its release in January 2012 and has by now garnered more than 640.000. When music legends like Kiske on mic and Hansen on guitar, who are completed by bassist Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69), guitarrist Mandy Meyer (Krokus, ex Asia & Gotthard) and drummer Kosta Zafiriou (ex Pink Cream 69), pool their creative strengths, the world is going to be set on fire for sure.
And Unisonic did deliver the goods: After their teaser mini album 'Ignition' got rave reviews and sold out immediately, the eponymous full-length debut was equally acclaimed and proved impressively that the chemistry between Hansen and Kiske is simply second to none. However, all those who expected a third 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys' album were mistaken: Instead of relying on worn out success patterns the two thoroughbred musicians rather indulged in heavy rock than in power metal and delivered a stylistically manifold album which featured everything from emotional ballad to luscious rock track while occasionally still drawing on buzzing heavy metal of course. The outcome was a unique collection of rock anthems full of energy, melody and magic.

And there's more to come. Only two years later Hansen, Kiske and co. up the ante again with their sophomore album which is once more produced by Dennis Ward and will be released on July 25th. Heralding this eagerly awaited full-length album, Unisonic will again offer a foretaste in form of an EP called 'For The Kingdom' which will see the light of day on May 23rd. The six song collection consists of the brand new album track 'For The Kingdom', which hymn-like chorus and its double-bass footwork extraordinaire will rush the blood to the head of all metal fans. Followed by the EP exclusive smasher 'You Come Undone' which could have been included on the first band offering as well but also gives a hint of what to expect from the near-by future plus four live recordings from their show at the Masters Of Rock Festival 2012 in the Czech Republic where Unisonic performed a celebrated show (also exclusive to this EP).
 
This had all the ingredients for something truly world class but if that debut album was anything to go by, it's a lukewarm recipe.

Instead of relying on worn out success patterns the two thoroughbred musicians rather indulged in heavy rock than in power metal and delivered a stylistically manifold album which featured everything from emotional ballad to luscious rock track while occasionally still drawing on buzzing heavy metal of course. The outcome was a unique collection of rock anthems full of energy, melody and magic.

If they're happy with what they produced then good on them but to my mind if you're going to hype up two LEGENDARY METAL figures and throw them together then you best deliver some LEGENDARY METAL. Not bland hard rock. You can't limit your target audience then feed them something completely different and expect them to lap it up. Hope this new one learns from past mistakes but I have low hopes - it'll be another lacklustre but fun-enough serving of generic soft rock.
 
Yeah... I was a little hesitant before I picked up the debut but even after spinning the whole thing I was pretty underwhelmed. Couldn't believe Kai Hansen and Michael Kiske were putting out what basically amounted to commercial rock! Not to knock 'em but I was really floored by just how light a group they are. Hope there are more balls to the new album!
 
So has anyone checked this out yet?

I gotta say I was expecting more hard rock blandness but they really took on the feedback and they've knocked out a decent more-power-metal offering. It's catchy stuff. Well worth a listen :headbang: :kickass: