|
Terry's
Reviews Page
| ||
| Movies | Music | Books |
|
Music Reviews: | ||
|
|
SteelHeart Records –
2008 | |
|
Ladies and gentlemen, we've got an honest to goodness masterwork on our hands with this brilliant super-charged CD. Miljenko Matijevic has unleashed his complete creativity through inspired vocals, exceptional song-writing and he is even responsible for most of the guitar playing on "Good 2B Alive." For those who don't know who Mr. Matijevic is, he is the superb lead vocalist for SteelHeart, who broke the scene back in the early 90's. Miljenko was also the singing voice for Mark Wahlberg's character in the movie ROCK STAR. On Halloween in 1992, while performing the song "Dancing in the Fire" Matijevic climbed a lighting truss not knowing it was improperly secured. He tried to evade the falling rig, but it struck him on the back of his head just before he could get out of its way, crushing him to the stage face first. He broke his nose, cheekbone, jaw, twisted his spine and needed 28 stitches in the back of his head. So just as SteelHeart was starting to become successful the band was over. That is an incredible intense real life story that would have stopped any normal human being from completing the path they were suppose to take. It's been a long road to spiritual and physical happiness for Miljenko Matijevic but this album proves that he's back and has reached the stratosphere of music greatness with "Good 2B Alive." This album is rich with an incredible amount of lead & backing vocals. Matijevic is one of the few singers who is able to completely release his voice. This guy doesn't hold back at all. He's got range, can sing or scream and accent his voice in ways most hard rock/metal vocalists could only dream of doing. The album also features hard charging guitars, drums and bass that match Matijevic's approach. Miljenko's songwriting focuses on a theme of being alive. This theme comes from a man who certainly knows this feeling having almost died and experienced a period of music when his band's type of music in the market was dead. Plus Matijevic is even responsible for producing this albums huge sound and many layers of voice and instrumentation. "Samurai" hits hard and gets you rocking. "LOL" is incredibly uplifting and inspiring with super aggressive vocals and guitar. "Buried Unkind" has some incredibly ingenious vocal arrangements and whistling that made it fun and cool. The guitar sound and orchestra backing SteelHeart helps make "Twisted Future" feel like a Led Zeppelin tune. The slow down part where Matijevic says "I can't believe I'm still alive" is beautiful and mature. I love the way "I Breathe" is mixed with gorgeous vocals, huge heavy distorted guitars. The soft tender section just over two and half minutes is sweet and makes the second half of the song rock hard. Using the choir is a great choice and Matijevic frigging nails hard rock/metal ecstasy with his voice and guitar. ROCK ON Brother! I'm amazed at the inventive musical composition of "Shine A Light For Me." I love how SteelHeart goes back and fourth between melody and completely rocking out. I totally rocked with the ninth track "Good 2B Alive" with it's heavy dose of metallic adrenaline. I really enjoyed the delicate rendition "G2BA" that wraps up the CD with an appropriate spiritual feel. Miljenko, you couldn't have named this album any better because you captured what you must be feeling in you life to write this kind of music. Rounding out the rest of SteelHeart; Michael Humbert does a bang up job on drums, Sigve Sjursen lays down the bass and Uros Raskovski adds some cool guitar solos. In my opinion, Miljenko Matijevic should be recognized as one of the great voices in hard rock & heavy metal. What's most impressive about Matijevic's voice in songs like "LOL" is how aggressive he sings. His voice isn't held back with restraint because a lack of range or technical ability, this guy can do it all. That's proven on "Good 2B Alive," a CD you should not be without. Let's help Matijevic know how much we appreciate his many talents and that SteelHeart kicks ass by back supporting "Good 2B Alive" to be a success. Go to www.SteelHeart.com to pick it up. It will breathe LIFE into your world.
| ||
