Old school rock is dead here in the USA. It's the doom filled dark music that has occupied the landscape since the onslaught of flannel and ripped denim. But in Sweden things are different. There are bands still trying to pick up where 1991 left off. Alicate is one of those bands. I latched onto their work a couple years ago when they released "Butterfly". Rather than trying to ruin a good thing, Alicate continues their efforts to restore real melodic rock to the world.
Their new album "Heaven Tonight" is a delightful mix of rockers and ballads. "Are You Ready" begins with a dash of Neal Schon-like soloing followed by an Alex Van Halen drum line. It has a similar welcome to the album feel as Van Halen's"Good Enough". The drums are relentless. The hooks are bold. The choruses and BGV's are solid and in the right places. "Under The Gun" sounds like Whitesnake and Guiffria, two bands that Alicate can definitely be compared to. The keyboards accent the gritty guitar riffs. "Heaven Tonight" is a mid-tempo rocker that has a bit of Triumph in it, think Never Surrender or Progressions of Power.
Vocalist Jonas Erixon emulates all the great singers from a bygone era. He's more David Coverdale than anything else. "Big Time" is another possible hit single with an epic chorus. And the guitar solos are all tasty thowbacks that make you long for the days of big hair and muscle cars. "Ride The Storm" is another majestic ballad combining elements of Vandenberg and Whitesnake, with maybe a touch of Y&T. The melencholy guitars mixed with flute sounding keyboards make for an epic ride.
"Dreaming" sounds like a rocked up Foreigner song. There are reference points outside these bands you know and love. And again, there is a lot of Whitesnake here from start to finish. "Dangerous" sounds like an outtake from Van Halen's For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge with a dash of Night Ranger and Dokken.
This is an album you can annoy your neighbors with. It's definitely made to be played loud. "Hold On" is another would-be hit single for a top 40 station circa 1989. The bottom line is if you like what Whitesnake was doing at that time, Alicate is a continuation of that with their own spin on it.
"Count To Ten" would be perfect for an 80's movie soundtrack. Big drums and keyboards married to the subject of "keeping the dream alive". The guitars are front and center. "You're Gone" is an elegant power ballad that soars and emotes with great strength and enengy. A perfect ending to a powerhouse melodic rock collection. This is one for all the fans of 80's rock radio. It will bring you right back there.
Album rating 9.5/10
