Another week, another Scandinavian metal album. They’re really coming thick and fast now. However this one’s slightly different as it is by old hands Peter Grundstrom and Jan Akesson; both of whom used to be in a band called Whitelight back in the eighties. Having worked together in the past perhaps now seemed the obvious time to, er, reunite and cash in on what is fast becoming a bit of a phenomenon.

Yet such is the variety of acts coming from this part of the world these days that it is difficult to define what Scando-metal really is. I suppose the Rasmus, Europe and HIM are what readily spring to mind. But first an apology. Steve sent this album to be reviewed a while back but due to the old computer giving up the ghost it has taken a fair while to get back on line. So sorry chaps – but I’ve got there in the end!

So how does this album compare with other Scando-metal releases? In truth Stonelake have a go at a bit of everything and I suppose there’s nothing wrong with covering all your options! However the whole album is spoiled by the ridiculous spoken intro to ‘Reincarnation’ (the track itself). which opens proceedings and is reminiscent to Spinal Tap’s legendary ‘Stonehenge’ banter. You know, (adopts Nigel Tufnall accent), ‘Stonehenge. No one knew what it was for…or what it was doing there.’ Or something like that. Just substitute Reincarnation for Stonehenge and you’ll get the picture.

Unfortunately it sets the tone for the whole album. Shame really as there are some good moments on Reincarnation (the album). Especially when the duo turn their hands to some typically cheesy Europe style ‘rock along a Abba’ pop balladry. This seems to be Stonelake’s forte. As when they try to be serious with the sword and sorcery stuff it just doesn’t seem to work half as well.

However it has to be said that Grundstrom’s vocals are amazing at times. A sort of Bruce Dickinson on helium affair. The guy has an incredible range, but just occasionally you wish he’d throttle it back a little bit. But you’ve still got to give him credit as he almost manages to make Reincarnation a recommended release. I.e. Seven out of ten.

Sadly there just aren’t enough quality moments in terms of pure songwriting to make this record stand out, like some of their contemporaries. The new Thunderstone album (‘Tools of Destruction’) is probably the current benchmark for this type of thing so I simply have to compare it to that. Yet Stonelake are still worth listening to for those amazing vocals.