Ultimate Collection
Richard Andersson
(Metal Heaven)
This 10 track collection is made up of some of the highlight of Andersson's career to date. Featuring tracks by Majestic, Time Requiem and Space Odyssey its a great sampler on the talent of Andersson. Therein lies oodles of power-prog glory that is majestic in scope. 10 notes where 5 notes would suffice played with seriousness and produced until it hurts. No stripped down bar-room boogie on here. Andersson's goals seem to be to squeeze every last ounce of both the songs and the technology available to him. This is not a horrid album by any means but it can be hard work at times overwhelming the sense in its sheer scope and gravitas. Take for example the soaring 'Time Requiem'. It is no surprise that the Swede comes from a classical background as he composes rather writes music. This is by no means a collection taken from old recordings but reworked tunes from his past overseen by the man and recorded in his home studio. Goran Edman the ex-Malmsteen vocal gypsy does the vocals on these tracks doing an able job keeping up with Andersson's keyboard intensity. If you like the melodic metal/symphonic power metal genre.
Rating: 4/5
Article comments
1 - Aaman
I didn't know there were Malmsteen clones