Lion Music (2010)

Melodic progressive metal with cultural, neo-classical and symphonic touches, “Tango” represents the fifth album for the Mattsson banner. 73 minutes with guitarist/composer Lars Erik Mattsson playing bass and keyboards while giving vocalists Adrienn Antal and Markku Kuikka (Status Minor) a chance to flex their female/ male pipes depending on the arrangement and nature of each song. There’s a lot to take in, the shorter material such as the title track and bluesy “Chain Me” works better as I think some of the epic material tends to get a touch overboard on virtuoso tendencies.

Lars willingly explores new age/ reggae terrain through the main verses of opener “Never Slow Down” while drummer Eddie Sledgehammer throws down some nifty tempo juggling amongst his double bass pacing. There are many aspects of “Tango” that showcase commercial aspects in terms of the simpler guitar lines and graceful melodies, such as the mid-tempo “Believe” which incorporates some great neo-classical/ Dream Theater-like keyboard/guitar/ bass syncopation during the instrumental sections as well as the title track which tips its inspiration to the Swedish superstar act Abba.

In today’s quick fix market, I rarely find an album firing on all cylinders with a running time beyond the 50 minute mark - so I do believe “Tango” should have been slightly tightened up in terms of a track or two. Overall though if you enjoy guitar-oriented progressive metal with equally captivating male/ female vocal work, “Tango” should contain enough of the normal requisite goods to make this worth your money and time investment.

www.larsericmattsson.com
www.lionmusic.com

Composed by Matt Coe