Jorn ­­­– Spirit Black
Frontiers Records
www.jornlande.com

Rating: B

Jorn Lande is a heavy metal journeyman vocalist who is finally coming into his own as a solo artist.  Spirit Black is his best release to date and features strong, hard-edged, melodic rock.  At times sounding a tad like Ronnie James Dio, Jorn delivers big from start to finish.  Vocally, he does his job but his band does their part as well.  Guitarists Tore Moren and Jimmy Iversen bring the music alive with thrusting rhythms and solid lead guitar breaks.  

“Spirit Black” starts the album off and sets the stage for all that is to follow.  There is not a single weak track on this puppy.  “City In Between” and “I Walk Alone” show Jorn reaching into true melodic rock arenas while still retaining a metallic flavor.  “Below” may be the best hard rocker onboard this release but it is rived by “The Last Revolution” and “Burn Your Flame.”   

At the end of the day, Jorn is an artist who is finding his true voice and defining his craft.  This is the perfect release for people who are looking for something new that doesn’t suck.  Spirit Black has plenty of old school fist pumping music to satisfy even the classic hard rock who refuses to believe it is not 1985 anymore.  This one is worthy.  

By Jeb Wright