In the world of football, we know the concept of football transfers. When a key player moves to another club, it's world news. Unfortunately, we don't have that concept in the music world, otherwise the news of the new singer for the Dutch band Hangover Paradise would have been in the newspapers in many countries. Because who would have expected Bert Heerink to achieve world fame with Vandenberg, and to a lesser extent with Kayak, to be the third new singer on the new album Lost In Reality? Perhaps no one. I certainly didn't. And this transfer is certainly an improvement for the band, despite the fact that the previous two singers also performed excellently. For those who don't know this excellent band, first some historical facts before I discuss the new album. Hangover Paradise started in 2010 and hail from the northern part of our country. They released their debut album Mirrors in 2013 (see review). On this first album I clearly heard traces of Saga, early Marillion, Pink Floyd, Eloy, IQ and Arena. I almost forgot but Bert Heerink already sang backing vocals on three tracks on this release and the perfect production was done by his former band member of Vandenberg, namely bass player Dick Kemper. The follow-up to their strong debut arrived four years later. The band certainly hadn't compromised on quality and delivered another top performance on Out Of Sight (2017, see review). And now there is Lost In Reality! Once again provided with a beautiful cover, as on all previous albums, by Karssien Ooms. Lost In Reality was recorded with the current line-up consisting of Peter Zwerus (keyboards), Henk Zwerus (keyboards), Richie Saimima (guitars), Cynthio Ooms (bass), Daniel Brans (drums) and the earlier mentioned Bert Heerink (vocals). Here are my thoughts about the ten album tracks; Album opener Never Again is a swinging up tempo number with a beautiful guitar solo and strong drum parts. Follow up Future Child is another great tune. Maybe less up tempo but again with great guitar and synthesizer solos. Next up is It All Ends Now. Starts strangely enough a bit like a hard rock tune and moves on in the style of Abacab. The well know single made by Genesis. Great guitar and keyboard parts are included! The song has several different musical moods. From fast to slow. The break in the middle is fantastic! The excellent guitar solo is giving me goosebumps. It even gets better with the awesome synthesizer solo that is followed. More up tempo is the next track with the title Circles. Here the bass has a strong leading role. Again strong guitar and synthesizer solos included. Another strong break lifts the song to an even higher level! With Over The Hill we are half way on the album. So far so good so to speak. Again with alternating fast and slow musical sections. Another great tune! Next up Everywhere You Go. A ballad in the style of Kayak which includes an excellent guitar solo as to be expected. Back to more up tempo parts on The Story Of Prog. You can hear nice brass synthesizer parts in combination with fantastic guitar parts. Half way a more mellow part again lifts the song to a higher level. Another astonishing guitar solo to enjoy. Ending in combination with beautiful synthesizer parts. Followed by Diamonds Of Life. It starts again with a catchy rhythm, like most compositions do. Again with strong keyboard and guitar parts. Before we go to the final song you can enjoy Handle With Care. Again a catchy rhythm starts this tune. Sometimes Saga comes to the surface. Great guitar and synthesizer solos are included. Steppin' Out ends the album in style. It starts like a hard rock tune before it is taken over by progressive rock melodies. Up tempo parts with again Saga as musical references. Once again, it can be concluded that another musical highlight has been added to the musical journey that this band has made so far. Thankfully, the band didn't disappoint once again on this new album. All ten compositions were pure enjoyment. No fillers or meaningless songs. My favourites are without any doubt Never Again, It All Ends Now and Handle With Care without taking anything away from the other songs. Well Done Hangover Paradise! **** Henri Strik (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
