Album review: NORDIC UNION – Animalistic

Frontiers [Release date 12.08.22]

Nordic Union, as every melodic rock fan will know, is a musical marriage of two talented people. Songwriter, producer and guitarist, Erik (Eclipse, WET) Martensson, and vocalist, Ronnie (Pretty Maids) Atkins.

Atkins’ advanced form of lung cancer, diagnosed only 3 years ago, has clearly pushed him into creating some of his best work. His tremulous vocals are particularly striking on opener, ‘On This Day I Fight’, a rock’n'roll hymn to commitment and artistic durability that sets up the lyrical theme of the album.

That’s not to ignore Martenssen’s significant contribution in writing most of the material as well as producing, arranging and playing guitar here. The album’s tightly structured songs are primarily a product of his fertile musical mind, frequently crossing that invisible line between melodic hard rock and symphonic rock.

‘In Every Waking Hour’ and ‘If I Could Fly’ catch the mood, with both artists striking a sense of urgency, musically, vocally and lyrically, creating a psychological depth not usually heard in “popular” music.

And they know their audience.

The album is sprinkled with celtic flavoured guitar intros, mixed with densely textured choral contributions, adding depth to the material. Both those openers, plus other standouts, like ‘Wildfire’, ‘Last Man Alive’ and the title track, ‘Animalistic’, are melodic rock standard bearers. All of them carry a freshly unfurled flag of pulse quickening tunes and anthemic choruses, reminding us just where these two outstanding musicians came from.

And as you would expect, there’s a strong dramatic thread running through the album. ‘This Means War’ is a thick cut slice of metalised anti-war sentiments; ‘Scream’ roots for the underdog and the downtrodden, and ‘Riot’ aims to get all that mental turmoil out there before the shadows fall.

Martensson’s music understands and helps convey these sentiments, running side by side with Atkins’ vocal delivery, both adding to each song’s sense of defiance.
Melodic Rock with a message. ****

Review by Brian McGowan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

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 1 December 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 3 December 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 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)