JORN – Lonely Are the Brave (Release Year – 2008)
Jorn Lande returns with his fifth studio album, Lonely Are the Brave.
I have said it before, and I will say it again. Jorn Lande is one of the premiere vocalists in heavy metal today. Sooner or later metal fans are going to take notice of this amazing singer. His vocals on this album are superb, and are empowered by the outstanding guitar duo of Tore Moren and Jorn Viggo Lofstad. With the exception of bassist Sid Ringsby, Lande’s solo band remains unchanged since his 2006 release the Duke, and as a result, have turned in a tighter performance on this disc.
The opening cut and title track, Lonely Are the Brave is a pretty good way to open up this disc. This is a very strong heavy rocker that gets things going nicely. I expect to hear this song a lot in the coming years.
If Lande decided to steal an unreleased song from Ronnie James Dio, Night City would be it. This song is much in the vain of the Black Sabbath front man’s solo material. This tune seems to get better with every listen.
Some of the other highlights include:
Shadow People is the type of song that will create new JORN fans. This hard charging rocker is one that will get your blood pumping.
Promises is not only an excellent song, but it might be one of the best JORN songs yet. This sounds like it could of been a leftover song from Worldchanger or Out to Every Nation. Yes, it is that good.
The song Hellfire originally appeared on the Beyond Twilight release, The Devils Hall of Fame, from 2001, on which Lande was the lead singer. This version is nothing short of amazing. It is dark and moody kind of metal that you would expect to hear on a Black Sabbath record. It is an awesome tune, and absolutely essential to all JORN fans.
My CD is the Limited Edition and has two bonus tracks, Stormbringer, and Like Stone In Water.
Stormbringer is a cover of the classic Deep Purple tune which featured Ritchie Blackmore and David Coverdale. This version is much heavier than the original, and in my opinion surpasses it greatly.
If there are any negatives on this CD, it would be in the mixing of the bass on this record. Where were you Mr. Ringsby? Your bass is mixed so low it is hardly audible.
Am I a little biased towards Mr. Lande and company? Damn straight I am! JORN hasn’t released one disc in this decade that has disappointed me, and Lonely Are The Brave is no exception. This is another must own release for all Jorn Lande fans everywhere!
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Lonely Are The Brave
2. Night City
3. War Of The World
4. Shadow People
5. Soul Of The Wind
6. Man Of The Dark
7. Promises
8. The Inner Road
9. Hellfire
10. Stormbringer
11. Like Stone In Water
JORN is:
Jorn Lande – Vocals
Jorn Viggo Lofstad – Guitars
Tore Moren – Guitars
Sid Ringsby – Bass
Willy Bendiksen – Drums
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Im my opinion it’s one of his worst albums. Promises is an average song and this version of Hellfire sucks so much. I love the original version, there was so much emotions on it and on this version the production is worse and Jorn’s performance is worse, he doesn’t put emotions that made the original so special. I hate it. Two songs from Ltd. Edition are the best on this CD.
I agree the bass guitar us almost completely missing on this thing. It would have made songs like “Shadow People” even more kick ass had it a thumping bass blasting along to it. Other than that it is a great album but not my fave JORN. “Man Of The Dark” is also the best song on it imo!
I’m jealous! I went to the record store this AM and they didn’t have it in stock. This is supposed to be one of the best releases of the year so I’ll have to order from NEH Records ASAP!
Steve
Heavy Metal Addiction
http://hardrockheavymetal.wordpress.com/