E.E.R.

Torben Enevoldsen, "Heavy Persuasion" (Lion Music)

    Another guitar-heroics album, this album does a good job of showcasing 
the exceptional guitar playing and good compositional potential of 
Enevoldsen. However, it seems sometimes like that might be the only purpose 
of the album, making  Heavy Persuasion  a merely "ok" listen.
    To the album's credit, Enevoldsen's guitar playing is fantastically 
virtuosic and the rhythm section of drummer Mickey Hurricane / bassist 
Flemming Hansen is exceptional if subdued (probably intentionally). 
Enevoldsen has a big bag full of cool riffs and melodic figures, especially 
in his use of odd time signatures.
    However, it seems there's little more than this - songs rarely have much 
in the way of thematic development and, at worst, compositions can seem like 
a list of cool things rather than some unified piece of music. It seems like 
his riffs are well-developed enough that he could make an effective piece of 
music, but he hasn't yet. There is also a bit too much treading of the same 
ground, making it hard to distinguish one of the mostly heavy metal-oriented 
songs from another (even the two obligatory slow pieces are difficult to tell 
apart).
    Still, these may be more nitpicking arguments than some listeners would 
make, so I would say that  Heavy Persuasion  would be a great CD for 
someone who wants to hear fabulous metallic guitar playing and cool riffs. 
~Jon Dharma






Torben Enevoldsen - Guitarisma  Roxon Records 1998

Guitarisma lies firmly within the realm of the guitar-hero album.
Think Vai and Satriani.  More to the point, think Greg Howe, Tony MacAlpine,
Vinnie Moore, Paul Gilbert, and other purveyors of the fine art of
shredding.  If these names mean nothing to you (or cause you to dry heave),
odds are Guitarisma wasn't recorded with you in mind.  The rest of
you may read on.

The album is, of course, Torben Enevoldsen's show, and models itself after
the artists mentioned above.  Ten of the twelve tracks are instrumental,
most hovering around the five minute mark.  The result is surprisingly
listenable, even for a non-guitarist like your humble reviewer.  Notable
thoroughout the album is Enevoldsen's willingness to slow things down and
rely on the emotional impact of melodic leads rather than shred at the speed
of light.  This is particularly effective as the Danish guitarist shows us
his more melancholy side on the ballads "Calm Waters" and "Indian Summers."

The two vocal tracks are a departure of sorts, with Enevoldsen giving up
some of the spotlight to guest vocalist Kenny Lubcke.  The first, "Time Ran
Out," isn't too far removed Fifth Angel or some similar melodic hard
rock/metal act.  "Reach For Perfection" is a bit fiercer, showing a faster
tempo I wish would be used throughout more of the album.  As much as I
appreciate Enevoldsen's sense of melody, I find that guitar-hero albums are
more palatable when everything's blazing away at full speed and the
guitarist is shredding his little six-string heart out.  Even the faster
tracks on the album plod along compared to those on many other instrumental
guitar-driven albums.

Carsten Neumann and Christian Rajkai on bass, along with Torben Lysholm
programming a drum machine, comprise a competent rhythm section.  The drum
patterns are tastefully programmed, and it's easy to ignore their presence
as long as they remain in the background.  When the programmed drums come to
the forefront, as on the intro to "Reach For Perfection," the effect is just
jarring and irritating.  I can't imagine what caused Enevoldsen to decide
that hiring a drum machine programmer would be preferable to hiring a human
drummer.  Still, Lysholm gets bonus points for classy programming and a
drummer's sense of rhythm.

Guitarisma is sure to appeal to fans of the guitar pyrotechnic school
and to fans of melodic hard rock in general.  Enevoldsen has crafted a
melodic slice of guitar-hero metal that will sit proudly next to your Racer
X albums.  Those who read EER for fusion and prog recommendations need not
apply.

- Mike Thaxton

Track Listing:

1. Just In Case
2. Indian Summer
3. Time Ran Out
4. For A Friend
5. Deep Space Nine
6. Take Your Pick
7. Reach For Perfection
8. Calm Waters
9. Maybe Some Day
10. Brand New World
11. Dream Come True
12. What If.?

Contact:

Torben Enevoldsen
Phone/Fax: +45 38 71 68 56
E-mail: t.enevoldsen@sol.dk




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