Album review: JONO – Requiem

www.jontheband.se

Another great musical discovery from Sweden. Jono are centred around vocalist Johan Norrby who is joined by Within Temptation guitarist Stefan Hellebald and drummer Nicka Hellenberg, who appeared on the last Within Temptation album. Completing the line-up are Johan Carlgren on keys and Janne Henriksson on bass.

Simply put if you’re a big fan of Queen in all their pomp this album will be right up your street. You have the musical feel to the pomptastic opener ‘I Was The One’ and ‘Judgement Day’ keeps the pace going, reminded me a little of Foxy Shazam.The gospel choir midway through takes the song to a whole new level. ‘Letting Go’ is pure Queen balladry, from the Freddie like vocal delivery through to the slow burning Brian May-like guitar solo, wonderful stuff.

Songs like ‘Symphony’ and ‘Nothing’ have the symphonic feel of Within Temptation mixed with the band’s own melodic touches. The pomp of ‘Nothing’ recalls another Queen lover Robbie Valentine. In fact get Valentine to co-write some songs on their next album and it could be a five star release!

Very pleasant surprise and hopefully it will get the recognition it deserves. Only slight drawback is that the album is ballad heavy and a big guitar led rocker (in Queen terms a ‘Hammer To Fall’ or ‘Tie Your Mother Down’) would have really shaken the album up a little. Highly recommended.

****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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PENNY FOUNTAIN Euphoria (indie)
CRY FOR MERCY Saving Grace (indie)
VIGILANTES Life In The Fast Brain (indie)

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