Album review: NORDIC UNION
Frontiers Records [Release date 29.01.16]
Lead singer of Eclipse, whose ‘Armageddonize’ album was GRTR!’s second best melodic rock album of 2015, Erik Martensson is one of the most prolific, not to say talented, figures in his field. The latest in a series of albums he has written sees him crossing the border from Sweden to Denmark to join forces with veteran Pretty Maids singer Ronnie Atkins under the appropriately titled Nordic Union banner.
The album should be seen as a companion to Eclipse’s last two releases with a very similar musical style; uptempo songs like ‘Wide Awake’, ‘Every Heartbeat’, and ‘Falling’ remind me of both Eclipse and his other band W.E.T., though Ronnie’s trademark rough edged voice gives some songs a slightly heavier feel, notably ‘When Death is Calling’, with a modern sounding riff and almost WASP-like vocals, as well as ‘The Other Side’ and ‘Point of No Return’.
There is a recurring anti-war lyrical theme in the likes of opener ‘the War Has Begun’, which reminds me in its writing style of a heavier Magnum, and ’21 Guns’. ‘Hypocrisy’ is a highlight with great guitar work and a pulsing chorus of ‘Caroline’, though ‘True Love Awaits You’ was a touch schmaltzy.
As the album whizzed through in no time to closer ‘Go’, I was reminded too that other hallmarks of most Martensson work are here- a crisp, modern production and a concise approach to songwriting with barely any exceeding the four minute mark.
This is a very solid release which maintains the quality of Erik’s previous products and will appeal to fans of current Scandi darlings like HEAT and the Poodles as well as bands he is associated with. I’m intrigued to see if it was a one off project or the start of something more ongoing. **** ¼
Review by Andy Nathan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Next session: Sunday 1 December
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024
ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)
Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections