REVIEW : Reach --- The Great Divine (2018, Sun Hill Production)

Back in 2015, a new band from Sweden (where else?) with the name REACH jumped out of nowhere and offered us a really solid debut album that included some excellent songs in it, attitude and left a big promise for the future to come. With their debut opus, "Reach Out To Rock", Reach sounded fresh, melodic and creative. Nowadays, the band is finally back with a brand new record with the title "The Great Divine".

The album was recorded at Rocksta Sound Studio, produced by Jona Tee (H.E.A.T) and mixed by Tobias Lindell (Europe, Avatar, etc).

"Into Tomorrow" opens this new record in a such an amazing way; it's a fast-paced melodic hard rock song that features heavier guitars, powerful vocals and an overall  'punchier' sound that makes this song the first highlight of "The Great Divine". Next, "The Great Divine" is a more complex, modern, if you prefer, melodic rock tune. Sounds like the latest H.E.A.T. and, in my humble opinion, needs more spins to grow on you. With "Live Or Die" we are dealing with yet another modern melodic rocker that moves to the same paths of "The Great Divine" but with a better chorus and an overall better arrangements.

I like a lot the next one, "Nightmare". Again in this one Reach is using the same H.E.A.T. tricks but this time they deliver an awesome 'moodier' and heavier gem. Love this one! The ultra-melodic "Off The Edge", the excellent AOR-ish "One Life" and the edgy n' commercial "Running On Empty" are three tracks that grabbed my attention at once and, in my opinion, those three are just killer melodic hard rock/AOR songs.

From the last three songs, the one that made me curious was the 'theatrical' and 'darker' "River Deep".

For sure, Reach is not your ordinary melodic rock/hard rock band. Reach includes a lyricism and a quality that makes this band unique of its kind. I think that "The Great Divine" takes this band to a higher level, a step forward, and it's a very good purchase for those you love melodic rock modern and 'different'. 

Rating : 8,8/10