There has been absolute glut of covers albums in recent times and, likewise, an equal number of so-called 'supergroups' putting records out. Northern Kings kill two birds with one stone and blend four relatively successful metal vocalists into one band and recorded an album of 80's classics, but in a metal vein. These Fins could very well be the exception to the rules that states all cover albums are, for the most part, crap and all 'supergroups' never quite live up to the sum of their constituent parts. To the blend of the four voices you can also add a full symphony orchestra, a ripping guitarist and a production that sounds as if Jim Steinman were at the controls.

The general formula for Reborn takes  a classic AOR/melodic rock song from the 80's adds a classic metal riff and then adds the orchestrated parts and gothic tones to taste. Some of the album works, other parts don't but it's brave and certainly different. Kicking things off is Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin'. To chose a song that absolutely epitomizes all that is AOR is brave. The only thing that still sounds vaguely like the original is the short keyboard intro from where galloping riffs, layered strings and a shredding guitar solo take over. Next up for the Northern Kings is Tina Turner's 'We Don't Need Another Hero which takes the opening bass line to 'No More Tears' and mates it with the original melody, huge strings and multiple vocal layers.

As mentioned where the album works it works very well indeed. The band have changed Mr. Mister's Broken Wings from a soppy power ballad and mated it with Dio's Rock N' Roll Children turning the songs into heavy melodic rock workout. Likewise the Bowie classic Ashes To Ashes is given and almost Stone Temple Pilot's feel initially until the operatic vocals and orchestra take over. Different, but good.

However for all of the good points to Reborn there are also moments when things don't quite work as planned. Rebel Yell goes on a bit to long and the arrangement is somewhat lacking and then there's I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight. Here Northern Kings have taken what was a ballad originally and instead of rocking it up they made it even more laid back, just simple strings and piano. The same could be said for the arrangement on Phil Collin's In The Air Tonight. Despite the orchestration the song misses the insistent drum fill that was so much a part of the original and therefore despite the guitar work it somehow feels lacking.

Luckily for every low point there is a high. Peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer just kills and they even done a good job on  Lionel Richie's Hello, taking another soppy ballad but this time turning it into a rocking AOR track. Finally to round out the album is a decent stab at Dire Strait's Brothers In Arms that keeps the melancholic feel of the original whilst increasing the heaviness a hundred fold.

One criticism that you can't level at the quartet is that they weren't afraid to take chances with Reborn. It's an album that shows that cover albums can be different, entertaining and interesting and that they don't mean simply following the original song down to the last note. As I said earlier when it all comes together then it works a treat but even when it doesn't quite come up to scratch the results are still worth listening to at least once.

Let us know your views on Reborn

Track Listing

Don't Stop Believin'
We Don't Need Another Hero
Broken Wings
Rebel Yell
Ashes To Ashes
Fallen On Hard Times
I Just Died In Your Arms
Sledgehammer
Don't Bring Me Down
In The Air Tonight
Creep
Hello
Brothers In Arms

Line Up

Marco Hietala (Nightwish, Tarot)
Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica)
J Ahola (Teräsbetoni)
JP Leppäluoto (Charon)