{"id":3749,"date":"2016-07-07T09:39:29","date_gmt":"2016-07-07T09:39:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kkdowning.net\/steelmill\/?post_type=albumreviews&p=3749"},"modified":"2024-09-06T09:46:33","modified_gmt":"2024-09-06T09:46:33","slug":"q5-new-world-order-frontiers-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/kkdowning.net\/steelmill\/q5-new-world-order-frontiers-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"Q5 – NEW WORLD ORDER (Frontiers 2016)"},"content":{"rendered":"

[three_fourth]Q5<\/strong> are back. One of the leading cult heavy rock bands of the 1980\u2019s have today released their first new studio album in whopping 30 years with \u201cNew World Order.\u201d<\/strong> The band returned in 2014 for a supposed one-off reunion show at Sweden Rock Festival. That show turned into a full blown return as the group felt they still had chemistry and something to offer, now the true test comes in form of a brand new studio product.<\/p>\n

Whilst still recognizable Q5, the band sounds dirtier, more AC\/DC influenced here than on their 1980\u2019s heyday. Whether this is something the fans will embrace, as always depends on your preferences. Those longing for \u201cSteel The Light\u201d part two won\u2019t get it here, and the those in favor of subtle melodies, harmonies and commercial aspect might not get into \u201cNew World Order\u2019s\u201d grooves quite as easily. However, to expect the group to simply carry on where their left off in 1985 is unrealistic, and Jonathan K\u2019s nowadays crispier sounding vocals are impressive enough here on their own.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe Came Here To Rock\u201d<\/strong> sounds like a Saxon-title and damn, if it doesn\u2019t also musically remind us of Yorkshire\u2019s finest. Next up \u201cOne Night In Hellas\u201d<\/strong> is faster and gorgeous, with good solo work. Purists may cry the absence of Floyd Rose but Misters Pierce and Turner offer just the right style of guitar histrionics to support arrangements. The first single and video \u201cThe Right Way\u201d<\/strong> is simple, instant and carries a hook that is solid enough. But the album really comes into its own during later gems such as \u201dA Prisoner Of Mind\u201d<\/strong> and title track where hard rock meets those famous melodies, and excellent rhythm provided by bassist Evan Sheeley and drummer Jeffrey McCormack. Elsewhere there are also signs of American epic metal on \u201cUnrequited (A Woman Of Darkness And Steel)\u201d<\/strong>. Not every song is a hit and there is a slight mid-way slump before the album recovers with above mentioned epic and \u201cA Prisoner Of Mind.\u201d Bonus track \u201cGet Next To You\u201d<\/strong> is a good way to finish off even if Jonathan\u2019s vocals are somewhat low in the mix here.<\/p>\n

Production is basic, not too high-end but guitars and drums at front as it should be really. The band sounds heavier than before but this is to be expected. The whole package is quite a revelation to hear in these over-produced, digital times. Q5 might not be rattling the chains of today\u2019s also reunited Dokken or kings of melodic rock, Def Leppard \u2013 but it is proof that without them the metal world would be much more boring place.<\/p>\n

\"3halfk\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Ville Krannila<\/strong><\/p>\n