| Band
Members: |
Michael Kiske: Vocals, Guitars,
Keyboards, Piano. Ciriaco Taraxes: Guitars, Piano on track 12.
|
Kai Hansen: Guitars on tracks 1,
5, 8. |
| The
Review |
For this guy to be known for one
of metal's biggest anthems in the eighties, to go the AOR
route was something that somewhat caused a fan revolt, for
which unfortunately no one could see past the fact that Helloween's
Michael Kiske had found a new way of melodic expression. But
for those who "got it" the fact of the matter was that Kiske
had recorded a record that remains a pop jewel in the world
of melodic rock, even if the 'heavy' caliber wasn't necessarily
"wanting out."
An heaping of melodic/classic rock/AOR,
'Instant Clarity' is simply what the record's title says,
for which it is filled with catchy hooks and pop sensibility.
Tracks such as "The Calling" and "New Horizons" are the heavy
setters on the record, but the rest really expounds upon the
singer/songwriter stature with slickly produced overtones.
Kiske goes in many directions at this point, with acoustic
balladry on both "Can't Tell" and "Sacred Ground," typical
pop with "Time Passes By," and emotional on "Always." Kiske
at this point had more or less really focused on songwriting,
and reinventing himself as that type of performer rather than
trying to re-dub the past.
It does take a couple listens for
some to swallow, I mean after his voice had become recognizable
more for the power metal scene, but nevertheless, 'Instant
Clarity' ponders upon the sound that Pride of Lions and John
Waite, for which it's all about the melodies rather than portraying
the raise your fist in the air anthems.
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