King Company – ‘Trapped’

(AOR Heaven)

‘Trapped’ is the third album from Finland’s finest King Company which also features the debut of their new singer Ilkka Keskitalo, their third, but don’t let the revolving door of singers make you question the quality of this album, it’s even stronger than what’s come before it with probably their most style suitable singer to boot.

King Company craft hard edged melodic hard rock which is instantly gratifying. The entire album is riddled with hooks and catchy melodies that will drive you nuts. It’s extremely atmospheric something I find Finnish bands in general excel at, even more so than their other Scandinavian counter parts. I love these evocative and emotive atmospherics which really capture me and suck me into the song, it’s one of the main reasons this album really captured me more so than other recent MHR releases, it feels like it has more heart.

There’re more huge choruses than you can shake a stick at complete with compelling smooth melodies and deliciously delivered vocals. Highlighting the keyboard player on such a guitar strong and overall band sounding album may seem a little odd, but Jari Pailamo’s Keyboard work is sensational and it really bolsters the atmospherics and truly compliments the heavy edged guitar rhythms.

‘Trapped’ is overall a solid album, it has its ups and downs with songs that have a more direct instant impact and songs that grow on you to become firmer favourites on repeat listens but there are no duffers on this striking melodic hard rock opus. Picking two gems from the mix to discuss though I would highlight. ‘Dangerous Tonight’ which is radio hit gold, catchy as all hell – I mean seriously try getting this tune out your head after just one listen! The atmospheric ballad ‘Death Of Soul’ has an insanely intricate killer keyboard lick which makes me foam at the mouth. It may not be the most obvious stand out track but the immense musicianship on display is a real ball tickler treat.

I would definitely class King Company as Scandi Rock, it’s obvious from the opening to the closing notes where these musicians hail from – smoother than silk melodies, powerful yet melodic guitar riffs and evocative soundscapes! Fans of Europe and scandi rock start drooling now! ‘Trapped’ is without doubt a must buy for Melodic Hard Rock fans, enjoy, crank it up and thank me later!

8/10

Essential Track - 'Dangerous Tonight'

Review by Woody