Magnus Karlsson returns, with a new album from Allen/Olzon; Army of Dreamers, to be released on Frontiers Music S.r..l., September 9, 2022.
Allen/Olzon is made up of members: Russell Allen and Anette Olzon on vocals; Magnus Karlsson, playing guitars, bass and keyboards; and Anders Köllerfors, plays drums. Army of Dreamers, not to be confused with Kate Bush’s song, “Army Dreamers”, is the follow-up to the band’s exciting debut album, Worlds Apart, which also should not be confused with Saga’s successful album of the same name.
No, this is metal rock, with progressive influences, delivered by some metal masters, Russell Allen, of Symphony X and Adrenaline Mob, and acclaimed Swedish guitarist, songwriter, and producer Magnus Karlsson, from Primal Fear and Free Fall. Together, they have enlisted the talents of Anette Olzon, ex-Nightwish and The Dark Element, to sing vocals and help balance the sound.
My favorite songs are:
The title track, “Army of Dreamers”, which has a regal, orchestral opening, not unlike Europe’s “Final Countdown”. Then Russell Allen and Anette Olzon start singing, and the song kicks up a notch higher! “You never know what is real. When you live in the Twilight Zone. You lost control long ago. But you were far from home.”. Anette Olzon sings, “We are an army of dreamers. We’re in the shadow world. Waiting for you!” The electric guitar soloing is out of this world.
The opening orchestration on “So Quiet Here” is epic. Then, Anette Olzon sings, “Empires are falling. The warriors are closing in on us. So why is it so quiet here?” Russell Allen complements, “We know we are not immortal. Are we strong enough?” One of the best pairings of vocals since this year’s Visions of Atlantis, on Pirates. More fantastic grinding electric guitar solos and flights of guitar trails, rising off the carrier, like jets. Just awesome work, so far.
“Out of Nowhere”, opens with great keyboards and some pretty wicked electric guitar and bass, mixed well with drums. Russell Allen’s vocals remind me of some of my favorites from the 1980s. Good to hear that great sound again. Anette Olzon really is the perfect complementing vocal for Allen’s power. So soft, yet fierce. She has a unique metal voice that avoids the screams you hear from many in the genre. More brilliant electric guitar soloing. The piano – like keyboards compliment it all.
“A Million Skies”, opens with more powerful epic orchestration and hammering drums, before choirs join in. The grinding electric guitars and bass that follow are excellent. Russell Allen has a familiar voice, and now I remember why. He has been on a number of Arjen Lucassen’s epic space voyages, for the Ayreon collection.
“Carved Into Stone”, is another dynamite song for this duet. The drums are extremely wicked on this track.
Beautiful piano opens, “All Alone”. Anette Olzon sings, “Another night in the city. Surrounded by shadows”. Russell Allen takes over, “Another night in paradise”. The longest song on the album is full of great melody and perfect vocal harmony. More excellent guitar licks and powerful drumming.
“Look at Me”, is a straight 1980s powder keg. Excellent drumming supporting deep bass and excellent guitar riffing.
“Until It’s Over”, opens with epic keyboards and orchestration before electric guitar and some of the best drumming on the album join in. It starts off as a showcase for Russell Allen, but Anette Olzon joins in to make it even bolder.
“I Am Gone”, opens as a showcase for Anette Olzon, as she sings, “Far from here. Somewhere you can’t find me. Far away. You will never see me again”. The drumming is riveting. The axes are carving up some brilliant electrified air.
“Are We Really Strangers”, is like all of the great 1980s rockers I remember from my youth.
“Never Too Late”, opens with beautiful keyboards and orchestration. The closer is a great emotional whirlwind. Full of choirs and thunder, power drums. The electric guitars shine bright. Anette Olzon and Russell Allen are perfect together closing out this epic.
I now want to go back and hear the last album. This is going to be one of my favorite albums of the year. Two excellent singers. Some of the best in metal and rock. Get this album and enjoy the story and the journey as well as all of the brilliant guitar playing, keyboards, orchestration, bass and those kick ass drums!
As they say in their press kit, “If you love the debut Allen/Olzon album, Allen/Lande’s first three albums, but also Delain, Within Temptation, Nightwish, and the like, (but with a slightly heavier edge), then this is simply an absolute must hear for your melodic metal loving ears!”
Army of Dreamers was produced and recorded by Magnus Karlsson. It was mixed by Jacob Hansen. Executive Producer/A&R: Serafino Perugino.
Track List:
1. Army of Dreamers – 4:31
2. So Quiet Here – 4:48
3. Out of Nowhere – 4:32
4. A Million Skies – 5:19
5. Carved Into Stone – 4:01
6. All Alone – 6:16
7. Look At Me – 4:48
8. Until It’s Over – 5:28
9. I Am Gone – 4:21
10. Are We Really Strangers – 4:34
11. Never Too Late – 5:17
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=067e-cLzUPM
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/allenolzon/