Review: Moritz – SOS

Harmony Factory (2013)

Reviewer: Dan Mann

Well I’ve finally got my hands on the much anticipated new release from British melodic rock / AOR band Moritz.

The fact I’m writing this review is the first indication that I’m not disappointed. Start playing and your immediately greeted with the sort of melodic rock /AOR that British bands have long since been famous for.

Let’s remember one thing, if the singer doesn’t cut it then the rest of the music is really somewhat irrelevant as the listener is immediately put off. But Pete Scallan’s vocals are superb, showing us that he’s not lost any of the tone and range from days gone by.

There’s always a danger with melodic rock / AOR releases that the keyboards will be too prominent in the mix. Thankfully this is not the case with SOS, the production & mix certainly pleasing to these old ears of mine.

I must not forget to mention the rest of the band, Gregg Hart & Mike Nolan on guitars, Ian Edwards on bass, Andy Stewart on keyboards and joining the original line up is John Tonks delivering just the right amount of attack on the drums.

Stand out tracks for me would have to be ‘Invincible’ ‘Soul of Fire’ & the first single off the album ‘Gonna Lose Her’

So is this release ‘over hyped?’ Not for me it isn’t & I cannot wait to see them perform this new material live.

Rating 9/10

Track listing: Fire, Can’t Hide My Heart, Gonna Lose Her, Remember Yesterday, Mercury Falling, Amberlee, Caught Between Life & The Light, Invincible, Flying Too Close To The Sun, Soul Of Fire, SOS

MORITZ

Peter Scallan – Lead & backing vocals

Greg Hart – Electric & acoustic guitars, vocals

Mike Nolan – Electric guitar, vocals

Ian Edwards – Bass, synthesizers, Hammond organ, vocals

Andy Stewart – Piano, Wurlitzer, synthesizers

John Tonks – Drums, percussion, programing

http://moritzband.com