GRAND DESIGN / Thrill Of The Night (2014)

Grand Design was formed in 2006 by singer/producer Pelle Saether, and the band’s first 1st album “Time Elevation” was released in October 2009. The release gained massive success and received positive reviews from the rock press. The band's main influence was, and still is, Def Leppard but they achieved also to put their own identity to their music. Pelle Saether comments: ”Since we all love Def Leppard, it will always be an influence we use to spice things up.”

Two years later, it was time for Grand Design’s second album – “Idolizer”. Pelle says: “We knew we had found a formula to make an 80’s rock record work in the 21st century – so why change it?”

Early 2013 the band recorded two new songs, featuring guest singer Susie Päivärinta (of Lili & Susie), of which the song “Baby It’s You” (Promises cover) was released as a digital only single and video in June 2013. The band also welcomed new drummer Magnus Ulfstedt (Eclipse, Jimi Jamison, Talisman, Lion’s Share etc), who made his debut in the video.



At the early 2014, Grand Design started working on the third album, and nowadays "Thrill Of The Night" is a fact! It seems that the band is not changing the winning formula of the last two records which is the big sing-a-long choruses, the great melodies and the Leppard spirit! From the opening chords of "U Got Me Good", Grand Design make sure that the new record is gonna be another great release. It has this sweet 80's vibe, a 'darker' sound and great arrangements enough to make you push the repeat button again and again. Next, we have the rock anthem and very Def Leppard-ish of “Rawk ‘N’ Roll Heart Attack” while in "10 Outta 10" we are dealing with a killer modern hard rock tune.  Are you ready now for a huge 80's ballad? If yes, then listen to the simply fantastic “When The Greatest Love Of All Kicks In” and you'll understand what I'm talking about. “Who’s Gonna Rawk U Right” (co-written by Erik Mårtensson (Eclipse, W.E.T) is another gem from the new record. A simple, straight-forward melodic hard rock dynamite with a so sweet chorus line that is gonna make you whistle it for days.

Bottom line is that Grand Design is back with another killer release. Simply their best album to date and I would dare to say that  "Thrill Of The Night" is simply a breathtaking melodic hard rock release that includes every little thing that we love from this particular music.
Heavy Paradise's Rating : 9/10

Tracklist: 1. U Got Me Good, 2. Rawk N Roll Heart Attack, 3. The Rush Is Gone, 4. 10 Outta 10, 5. When The Greatest Love Of All Kicks In, 6. Rip Iddup, 7. Get Up N Love Someone, 8. You’re The Only One, 9. Who’s Gonna Rawk You Tonite, 10. Thrill Of The Nite

Pelle Saether: vocals Dennis Vestman: guitar Janne Stark: lead guitar Mats Vassfjord: bass Magnus Ulfstedt: drums