Unisonic - Unisonic

When I heard that Michael Kiske (Ex Helloween, Place Vendome) and Kai Hansen (Ex-Helloween, Gamma Ray) were teaming up for a new project called Unisonic, I got pretty geeked.  Yeah, I know the first thing we all thought was Helloween re-union right?  But if you have followed both of their careers over the years, it was pretty obvious that was not what we were going to get.   What we got is melodic hard rock with a metallic edge.  Joining Kiske and Hansen is bassist/producer Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69) and guitarist Mandy Meyer (Ex-Krokus).  Seeing all the pieces in this puzzle, it was pretty obvious the musical direction of the band. 

The CD Unisonic is a nice collection of hard rockers, ballads, with a little bit of metal thrown in for good measure.  The title track may give you some false hope, because it teeters on the metal edge and slightly hearkens back to the pumpkin days, because it definitely has a bit of a power metal feel to it.  The second track Souls Alive follows suit with a bit of a power metal feel, before the lads settle into more of a straight ahead hard rock vibe.  This is not a bad or unexpected thing, due to the track record of Kiske, since leaving Helloween.  This album is full of strong melodic tunes, with only a few clunkers.  I have to say I was really happy with this release.  Definitely the best thing Kiske has done in some time.  Die hard Helloween fans may have a hard time with this one, but once they accept this isn't Helloween and it is Unisonic, they should dig it.

Bottom Line: Unisonic is definitely a suprgroup that will hopefully be more than just a one off.  Solid tunes, that are melodic but still contain a metallic edge.

Standout Tracks: Souls Alive, Unisonic, Renegade and Never Change Me.

-Ragman recently tried to fit in his Keeper of the Seven Keys Tee, but it just didn't work out.