The name Per Fredrik “PelleK” Åsly may not be familiar to U.S. metal fans. He is the vocalist for UK-based band Damnation Angels, and the US-based band The Anabasis. According to his bio, his musical career started in 2009, where he entered the talent-show “The X Factor” on National TV in Norway. This TV show was broadcasted for millions of viewers in Norway. PelleK showed Norway how to sing power metal songs, more than anything and also to try and introduce the Norwegian people to power metal (in some areas) “unheard of” music genre. Despite competing against the more than 12,000 pop and poprock singers, PelleK ended up top 12, and went on to the final rounds on live TV, singing Italian and German power metal songs. From there, he was signed to Liljegren Records / Doolittle Group, home to ReinXeed, which explains why Tommy ReinXeed produced “Bag of Tricks” as well as played on the album, also featuring guest appearances from Marit Børresen, Tommy Karevik (Seventh Wonder), Anders R.S, Oliver Hartmann (At Vance & Hartmann) and Amanda Somerville (Avantasia,Trillium).
The album begins with one of my metal pet peeves, the “instrumental intro”, in this case, it’s titled “Entrance”. After listening to the track, I think Danny Elfman may be owed a royalty check, as “Entrance’ sounds like a note for note copy of the main theme from Tim Burton’s “Batman” film. Luckily, things get better rather quickly with “Fugue State’ a uptempo power metal anthem. Åsly’s vocal gymnastics are reminiscent of Tommy Karevik of Seventh Wonder at times, which is high praise! The next song ‘Reason and Psychosis” features Oliver Hartmann’s trademark smoky melodic voice to great effect. Anyone who has heard Hartmanns work with At Vance and Avantasia will be impressed with his performance here. On the majestic power ballad ‘Send My Message Home”, Åsly enlists Amanda Somerville for an impassioned duet and is one of the highlights of the album. Tommy ReinXeed of ReinXeed influence is all over this album, playing guitars, bass, keyboards, backing vocals, orchestration, drums & programming as well as producing. Åsly takes back the lead vocal reins on “Thundernight” and ‘Win”, a pair of rapid-fire double bass rockers that show off Åsly’s considerable vocal range. On the melancholy rocker “Don’t Belong”, Norwegian pop songstress Marit Børresen’s angelic vocals compliment those of Åsly. Tommy Karevik of Seventh Wonder provides guest vocals on “Stare Into My Eyes” a fine vocal performance from both singers and a very catchy song. Coincidently, the song “Conflagrate My Heart”, another touching ballad featuring Børresen reminds me stylistically of Seventh Wonder both in lyrics and the vocal approach. My criticisms of the album would be that the song writing is a little too similar to ReinXeed, but considering who produced the album and played on the majority of the instruments, I would guess that would be unavoidable. Still, a fine effort that any fan of melodic metal vocals and power metal would enjoy.
1. Entrance (1:54)
2. Fugue State (3:52)
3. Reason And Psychosis (3:23)
4. Send My Message Home (4:49)
5. Thundernight (3:34)
6. Win (4:06)
7. Don’t Belong (4:01)
8. Stare Into My Eyes (3:47)
9. Born In Babylon (4:39)
10. Bag Of Tricks (3:58)
11. Conflagrate My Heart (3:15)
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