By Jonny Bakes
You know how the old saying goes – “It’s not about what you know, it’s who you know.” That was the impression I had when I picked up the cover notes for the debut release from World Of Damage, the solo project of Kjell Åge Karlsen (Jorn, Chrome Division), as I looked through the cast of Scandinavian celebrities who grace this release. There are big names from across the metal spectrum lending their talents to bring the World Of Damage to life including members from bands such as Kamelot and Dimmu Borgir. But perhaps the name that excited me most was to see Björn Strid of Soilwork and The Night Flight Orchestra, who are both bands that are in heavy rotation for me!
But first, let’s try and take a step back from the big names and take a look at the core sound that makes up WOD. I’d probably put it in the box of those Scandinavian bands that have a distinctly modern metal sound yet absolutely immerse themselves in the traditions of metal to a point where this combination is almost a genre in itself. The guitar work is pretty spot on throughout the album with a heady combination of groovy riffs that’ll stick in your head and face melting solos. The rhythms pair up with this perfectly to give you something that is what can only be described as a bit of a belter with its gut punching drums and dominating bass. Then for good measure there’s even a pretty solid stadium rock ballad that is just thrown into the mix to show a different side of the band that utilises the vocal talent of Roy Khan perfectly.
There’s every chance I’m a bit biased on this one, but my favourite song on the album happens to be one that features Mr Strid (in fact, there are two of them, it’s almost as if they knew that would grab my attention): it had to be the title track ‘Invoke Determination’. To put it simply this is quite a beast of a track that immediately had my whole body involuntarily grooving away to the energetic riff. It carries that vibe that makes me reminisce of metal rooms in rock clubs across the country, it would fit in pretty well with the usual hits and I can see it drawing some pretty big crowds to the dance floor, even if only to take part in some serious air guitaring for the massive solo towards the end!
Overall, as a first look into the World Of Damage, I am certainly very impressed! I’m interested to see what becomes of this when it gets the chance to hit the road and whether the guest vocalists will join the band, or whether it will be recorded appearances from them (like Howard Jones when Within Temptation played at Bloodstock) either way it promises to be an experience! ‘Invoke Determination’ has a pretty wide appeal and I expect it drawn in fans of the guest musicians in the first instance but will definitely appeal to those who are looking for something that feels like tho rock club fodder they’re familiar with but is significantly fresher (and in many ways, a fair bit better!)
- ‘Invoke Determination’ is out now. You can get your copy HERE.
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