Review: TAD MOROSE “Revenant” (2013)

Reviewed by Larry Paterson

Artist: TAD MOROSE
Album: Revenant
Label: Despotz Records
Release Date: 20 November 2013

Tracklist:
1. Beneath A Veil Of Crying Souls
2. Follow
3. Babylon
4. Within A Dream
5. Ares
6. Absence Of Light
7. Death Embrace
8. Dance Of The Damned
9. Spirit World
10. Timeless Dreaming
11. Millenium Lie
12. Gypsy

Formed in 1991, TAD MOROSE have seemed to be one of those bands that went very quiet after building up a strong fan base and a good head of steam following seven albums (and a compilation), the last of them being issued by Century Media back in 2003. Ten years elapsed during which lineup changes were happening, as well as virtually all of TAD MOROSE becoming involved in original drummer Danne Eriksson’s band INMORIA. Confused? Nah…it’s actually all good news and nice to see a music scene in Sweden that remains very cooperative between bands and band members.

Anyway…on to 2013 and TAD MOROSE finally have put their latest opus REVENANT out for us to hear at long last. The verdict? Well worth the wait. Labelled as a ‘progressive power metal’ band (there’s those bloody labels again!) the album has crisp clean production, recorded at Studio Claustrophobic, Gävle, and twelve tracks of solid, heavy Swedish metal.

The first thing you notice straight away is the power in vocalist Ronny Hemlin’s voice. I have only ever seen Ronny on stage with another band, but have always been incredibly impressed with his delivery and presence on stage. This makes me pleased to report that he maintains his impeccably high standard on the album. However, he is not alone in this high standard. The entire band sounds focussed and play everything with the precision and skill that TAD MOROSE fans (or any metal fans for that matter) will expect. Everybody shines on this album.

Just to indulge my own prejudice here, once again, TAD MOROSE illustrate why I don’t really like the pigeon-hole of micro labels that get thrown on bands.

The term ‘progressive power metal’ conjures up an image of music that, well, frankly, I may well find fairly dull; sometimes cleverness coming at a higher priority to the kind of visceral ‘heaviness’ that I like. This is not the case here at all. All the trappings of ‘power metal’ may well be here, but it never interferes with the all conquering and time honoured power of THE RIFF! TAD MOROSE have plenty of feeling and darkness to their music, the track ‘Absence Of Light’ being a perfect example; a slow, powerful riff fest with great main vocals, ballsy drums, thumping bass, massive riff, classy lead break and great chorus vocals. Nice!

Another good move on behalf of the band is to keep the tracks well structured, with only one of them passing the five minute mark; no padding required or used.

Great album – great band – come to the UK!

8/10