Search - John Norum :: Optimus

If they played baseball in Sweden, this would be a home run

Paul Lawrence | Australia | 01/17/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Norum is in charge of the mike on this one and certainly in charge of his guitar. Even UK magazine Classic Rock liked this one and they (fairly enough) have panned some of his other releases.



The guitar work here is thundering and heavy. But in a 70's kind of way. Which makes sense since John grew up in that environment. But... well I'm sort of lost for words in the about turn this guy has achieved with this album. I can't give it five stars as it does drone a little, but the riffs here would be worth three stars even if the album was marred by Norums usually crap lyrics. And that isn't the case here. And listening to the latest Europe album, the guy took this new found heavy riff style into that band too, which can only be an improvement.



Anyone who liked the new Europe album should get this. Anyone who didn't like the new Europe album also should probably get this!"