Album review: UNIVERSE INFINITY – Rock Is Alive

Pride & Joy Music [Release date 13.04.18]

Universe Infinity started out as Universe and released one album back in the 80′s before splitting-up. Fast forward to today, they added Infinity to their name and recruited former House Of Shakira vocalist Andreas Eklund to join lead guitarist Michael Kling, bassist Hasse Hagman, keyboards player Freddie Kriström, drummer Anders Wetterström and guitarist Per Nilsson.

Now I am big fan of House Of Shakira and was sad when Andreas Eklund left that band in 2010, since when little has been heard from him until now. He is still has that soaring, melodic singing style that melds in well with the band’s melodic hard rock sound.

Songs like ‘Company’s Coming’ and ‘Red Submarines’ are simply immense, with more hooks than a fishing tackle shop and plenty of guitars and keys action. They up the rock on ‘Born In Flames’ and ‘We Were Just Dancing’, like the hair metal 80′s Whitesnake meets Europe from the same era, complete with a suitably smoking guitar solo.

‘Streets Of Hate’ features layered harmony vocals which recall House Of Shakira, and there is a nifty Hammond solo on this song. However, the crowd noises on the title track tend to spoil this one.

Melodic rock fans would do well to seek this one out, well played and chock full of melody throughout, plus great to see Andreas Eklund behind a mike stand again. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)