Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Twinball - Slave - 2006 - Spiritual Beast

Track Listing1. Freak Of Nature 2. Never Alive 3. Heroes 4. Slave 5. Rain 6. Puppets 7. Faces 8. Mockingbird 9. Burn 10. Sorrow 11. Blind My Eyes 12. Promises (Japan bonus track)

Who says downloading is a terrible thing? If it wasn't for downloading who the Hell would even discover some of these talented metal bands that are basically untapped resources for even the smaller labels? Case in point is Twinball. Terrible album cover. A label that is overpriced and has poor distribution. A band that I have never heard in four plus years of reviewing music and fourteen years of collecting obscure metal from around the world. Downloading is basically the only chance that anyone will even discover this band. Sure I haven't paid them a penny, but word of mouth should do plenty for a band in this sort of predicament. What is Twinball? A damn fine melodic rock band that should be sitting on the top of the global modern rock charts.

The band is a Swedish outfit sporting their newest record, a sophomore effort entitled "Slave". The band originally started as a Thin Lizzy cover band known as Bad Reputation. In 2002 the group released their debut album, "Remnants Of A Broken Soul", on Sweden Rock Records. Those of you who enjoy the likes of Winger, Pink Cream 69, and Fozzy should find plenty of freedom with "Slave", an album that is soaked in twin guitar melody, ascending leads, and one fantastic vocalist in Daniel Samuelsson.

From the opener, "Freak Of Nature", the band just explodes with melody, working in some uplifting vocal patterns while entwining it with fantastic leads and smooth twin guitar. Vocalist Samuelsson reminds me of Fozzy's Chris Jericho here, with a great vocal tone that is perfect for these super clean, polished tracks. "Never Alive" fits in a huge Sabbath styled groove before slowing down to a more laid back song that is reminiscent of Andi Deris' (Helloween) solo records. The track has a great mid-tempo groove that has a rather addictive hook, perfect for mixing up the softer passages with a bit of metallic ringing. "Heroes" works in that same style as well, an effective ballad that is penned about the current situation in the Middle East (see Winger "IV"). The title cut reminds me of "Jar Of Flies" era Alice In Chains with a bit more heaviness in the Godsmack vein. "Rain" and "Puppets" ring true with a solid heavy metal backbone, complete with that addictive hook that makes this band so radio friendly at times. "Blind My Eyes" is pure Van Halen, a strong, ripping cut that reminds me of Halen's "Unchained".

There you have it, a fantastic melodic rock offering that isn't your wimpy AOR or your average run of the mill modern rock flavor. The band is really a new, fresh sound in today's market. Samuelsson really does have a Chris Jericho feel, but at times he reminds me of Pink Cream 69's David Readman, with his high voice similar to Warrant's Jani Lane. The whole album works perfectly and is really the record that I wanted out of the disappointing Soul Sirkus record. Look out for Twinball and if you can pick this one up it is worth $15 for sure! Also, if anyone has heard the first record from these guys drop me a line and let me know how it is.



--EC 1.20.07