Artist: Tad Morose
Label: Century Media
Release Date: 1/23/01
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Title: Undead Artist: Tad Morose Label: Century Media Release Date: 1/23/01 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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4 | ||
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3 | ||
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4 | ||
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Abyss's Review:
The cool thing about being assigned albums to review every week is that it gives me the opportunity to listen to stuff that would normally pass me by. Tad Morose has been around for a long time, but I know very little of their music, and I have to admit that these guys have my attention with their new release, Undead. Tad Morose engages in a form of power metal that is part Queensryche and part Nevermore. Taking the knack for melody that was the trademark of the former's earlier work and the latter’s heavy end, and combining them in a way that can be beautiful and powerful at the same time. And while this album is probably just as cheesy as any other power metal band, they make that fact easy to forget.
"The melodies seem to be dripping with emotion, and are very catchy as well." The riffing seems straightforward, but is definitely effective. And the most important aspect of any power metal band, the vocals, are suited perfectly for the underlying music. Very often metal bands decide to have high pitched lead singers and have them sing as high as they can, regardless of the style of music that they’re singing over. Since the riffs of this album are a little heavier than most in the genre, they made a great choice in having the vocalist sing closer to the middle of his range, reserving the top of his range for just the right parts. It is overall more effective and more listenable than to have some impressive, albeit annoying, high pitched screech for the entire album.
What really sells this album is the songwriting. The melodies seem to be dripping with emotion, and are very catchy as well. This is probably the most catchy power metal album I’ve heard since Crimson Glory’s last effort. This album isn’t perfect, however, and there is a little more filler on it than I’d like, but the bad things are more than made up for by the good. However, I feel it’s my duty to point out that it’s hard for me to take a band seriously that has song titles like “Servant of the Bones” and “Order of the Seven Poles” (Heh Heh…. He said Pole….He said Bone). And of course, these guys are Swedish, so they might not realize what imagery is summoned when an American reads the title, “Where the Sun Never Shines”. I also had trouble keeping a straight face while listening to the ballad “No Tears in the Rain” due to how similar its concept is to an eighties Whitesnake song.
"Its sweet melodies and choruses are a refreshing change from the death and blackness that usually pumps out of my speakers." I support this album, but since I’m relatively new to their work, it’s hard for me to recommend this album to their longtime fans. It is, however, a cool listen, and its sweet melodies and choruses are a refreshing change from the death and blackness that usually pumps out of my speakers.
Death's Review:
My first exposure to Tad Morose begins with Undead, although Famine played me their last album (with the keyboard player) this past weekend. Anyway, I come into it with basically a clean slate. Although hearing in advance that they have shed the keyboards and are in pursuit of a more heavier sound doesn’t hurt the cause, I suppose.
Anyway, I pop in the CD. And almost immediately, I’m not into it. British classic rock sounding vocals mixing in a high pitched element over standard and simplistic heavy/power metal riffs and melodies was all I could hear. And, to this day, I don’t really like “Servant of the Bones,” I must confess. “Another Time Around” is catchier, but not necessarily all that much better. Helloween meets Bad Company. Not necessarily bad, but not at all powerful or inspiring. Mediocre, and fairly forgettable, to be frank. At moments when listening to this track I found myself staring up at the CD player to catch the track number ‘cause I heard something I really liked, and I recall repeatedly seeing “3”. But still, I was having to work for it.
"Mediocre, and fairly forgettable, to be frank." So just as I was beginning to form a “eh” -level opinion of Tad Morose and Undead, I noticed that I not only like this guy’s voice, he actually is pretty awesome - a complete turn-around from the conclusion I had drawn one minute into the first song. “Order of the Seven Poles” is fucking awesome, and the vocal performance is outstanding. The entire song, in fact, is killer, with much more of a Queensryche’s The Warning -type vibe than anything else on this record. Arch-era Fates Warning, Dream Theater, Queensryche, Brave New World - style Iron Maiden - this is the direction Tad Morose should be focusing in. Not Grave Digger and/or Helloween. Not Whitesnake and not Deep Purple. They walk this line well, but seem to sway to either side of it at will from track to track.
Anyway, that same Queensryche flavor carries through a bit to the title track, which follows. Listen to the guitar tones, chords and harmonies at the beginning of “Undead” to see what I mean. When these approaches are used effectively, listening to Tad Morose is quite the worthwhile endeavor.
"I not only like this guy’s voice, he actually is pretty awesome." This record is the perfect example of why we should seriously consider advocating for the advent of the half- skull system. This one’s a three and a half skull special all the way. Since I have to commit to either the three or the four, I’ll choose three. Four just doesn’t feel right.
Hel's Review:
Time for one of my patented confessions - when I got this album, Tad Morose was new to me. I'd heard of them, sure, (it really is a damned clever name - fun to use in conversation, "I'm feeling a 'Tad Morose' today") but I'd never heard any of their stuff before. I guess I must have developed some expectations along the way, because it wasn't what I had expected. I didn't really know what to make of it at first.
"Behind the prominent vocal line, there is creative and interesting guitar work, and a solid rhythm section driving the music." The vocals are high in the mix and leap out immediately. This, of course, caused me to focus on them. Occasionally, I'll hear a vocalist who sounds familiar somehow, and I just can't quite place the similarity. I had this experience frequently where Tad Morose was concerned. While pondering this oddity, I realized something much more significant - this gentleman's voice is strong and clear. He hits high notes reliably and without going all falsetto. He is really a very good singer.
This realization enabled me to listen to Undead in an entirely new way. It brought down the wall of my uncertainty, gave me the ability to stop wondering who else it sounds like, and realize the music is all their own. I was finally able to "get" what they're going for. I had to listen to it quite a bit before I reached this point; early on, I was tempted to dismiss it based upon superficial appearances. Delving deeper, I realized there is more to this recording than what I'd heard at first. I think once you find yourself inside, you will also discover that this is an infectious, interesting album.
The details of this music do not reveal themselves under casual scrutiny, much like the way in which the album cover is more detailed than a glance reveals. I think I looked at that picture ten times before I noticed the little Egyptian dude standing there. I'd looked at it, but I hadn't studied it - just as I hadn't studied the music the first couple of listens - but once I did, I noticed important aspects. Behind the prominent vocal line, there is creative and interesting guitar work, and a solid rhythm section driving the music.
"I think once you find yourself inside, you will also discover that this is an infectious, interesting album." Of course, it's a personal choice whether or not you will be inclined to pay enough attention to this record for as long as it may take for you to settle in and really enjoy it. I must admit (there I go, confessing again - damn, it's easy to tell I was raised Catholic!), if it were not for what I feel is my obligation as a reviewer, I wouldn't have stuck around after the second or third listen. But by virtue of it finally "clicking", the talents of Tad Morose raised Undead from 3 skulls to 4.
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