Album review: ANETTE OLZON – Strong
Frontiers Records [release date 10.09.21]
A Symphonic Rock album for the ABBA generation, Anette (Dark Element/ Nightwish) Olzon’s collaboration with maestro, Magnus Karlsson, titled Strong, is huge, confident and full of heartstopping hooks. It has a lovely gloss to it… yes, it’s edgy and it’s aggressive in places, but at its pop opera core it’s designed to please the crowd.
As we move through the music we are constantly surrounded by towering, wall to wall choruses and harmonies. Olzon’s commanding mezzo soprano vocals continually swoop and soar. The dark pop tones of the eminently catchy ‘Sick Of You’ and ‘Strong’ remind you of peak ABBA, effortlessy bridging between dance, pop and the baroque grandeur that illuminated the band’s late seventies’ albums.
The high impact, high speed bpms and amphetamine fuelled keyboards of ‘Bye Bye Bye’ and ‘Parasite’ are symphonic metal’s equivalent of a major event firework display, each climaxing in an explosion of sound and light on the chorus.
‘I Need To Stay’ and ‘Sad Lullaby’ have the kind of coherence and charisma that can only come from a pairing of artists who have been on the same page from the off. Karlsson’s shifting mix of heavyweight orchestration and shimmering percussive rhythms are the perfect setting for the romantic obsessions in Olzon’s lyrics.
Throughout the album, Karlsson throws in a line or two of low growling notes. They are a little unsettling at first… but it soon becomes evident that they’re there simply to anchor the music to its heavy metal roots.
The quality shades off a little toward the end of the album. No surprise … consistency at this level is often elusive. ***1/2
Review by Brian McGowan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
Check out radio stream repeat on Tuesday 8th (16:00 GMT) and Thursday 10th April (21:00 GMT)
Next Session: Sunday 4 May
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 6 April 2025.
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 on 8 April 2025
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
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 live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 21 April 2025
THE DEVIL WEARS NADA Late Night Talking (Eonian Records)
DROWNING POOL Madness (SBG Records)
PARKER BARROW Make It (indie)
REDIKIN Nailed It (Wormholedeath)
PENNY FOUNTAIN Euphoria (indie)
CRY FOR MERCY Saving Grace (indie)
VIGILANTES Life In The Fast Brain (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 21 April 2025
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections