Saturday, November 27, 2010

Degreed / Life, Love, Loss (2010)

Degreed were founded during 2005 at the Conservatory of Music in Stockholm by Mats Ericsson, Robin Ericsson, Jonas Erkers and Daniel Johansson. With the same musical interest and the same taste of music Degreed started writing music with the result of a hard/melodic/alternative musical mix of five peoples minds and feelings.

During 2006 they participated in Emergenza, and won the Swedish/Norwegian/Finish finals, which resulted in that Degreed represented these three countries in the world finals in Rothenburg, Germany. 8000 bands participated in the competition but only 21 of these 8000 came to the world finals. Degreed finished at the 10th place but won a couple individual prices such as 2nd best drummer, best arrangement, 2nd best guitarist. 2007 Micke Jansson joined the band on keyboards, which brought the band to a whole new level musically. After the band came home from playing the Frankfurt Music fair Jonas left the band due to musical differences and Jesper Adefelt took his place. During the fall of 2008 and the spring/summer 2009 Degreed recorded their first full length CD with the producer/songwriter Erik Lidbom (Sheri, Masterplan, Paulo Meneguzzi, Kat-Tun etc).

So what we have here is a well crafted melodic hard rock album full of catchy solid tracks, very good performances, by a singer who can sing, a tight musicianship and an overall good production. I can say that this album took me by surprise after it's first listening. These guys are very talented and Melodic Records owner, Andrew Mc Neice, seems that hit the bulls eye with this band. The one thing that I liked most here is that Degreed achieve to mix, with such a great way, the modern hard rock of the 00's with some more traditional melodic elements and they are offering this very good debut album. Overall this album is one of the most promissing releases for this year and for sure one of the biggest pleasant surprises. For fans of H.E.A.T., Harem Scarem, Eclipse with a modern twist, this album is for ya!!! Well done!

HeavyParadise's Rating: 8,5/10

Track Listing :


01) B.O.D. 02) Arms Of Misery 03) A Little Bit 04) Captured By The Moment 05) Just Imagine 06) Story Of Life 07) Human Being 08) Colour Me 09) Catch The Feeling 10) Keep Me Alive 11) My Fall 12) By Your Side

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