WARMEN
Beyond Abilities
(Century Media Records)
46:32min

Oh God… do we really need this? I mean, the Metal market is already flooded by tons and tons of useless releases, and this one is a blatant example of such. As you may know, WARMEN is a solo side-project (read: ego trip) of Janne Warman, the CHILDREN OF BODOM keyboardist. I don’t like CHILDREN OF BODOM at all, but at least they are a real band. WARMEN on the other hand are obviously just a temporary gathering of hired hands put in service of the talent of Janne Warman. The result? An artificial release, totally disjointed, without any definite style, from sub standard Hardrock to neoclassical extravaganza. The first track for instance is nothing less than a fingers warm up, just to prove that the man know how to play, I suppose we are well warned with this. Maybe you are familiar with the instrumental albums issued by Shrapnel Records back in the 80s, expect something similar with this, but worse. That doesn’t mean you will not find vocals parts here, handled by "prestigious" guests as the STRATOVARIUS singer and the inevitable Kimberly Goss on two tracks. But the main bulk of the tracks are only keyboard demonstrations, boring and predictable. Janne Warman mixes up dexterity with feeling, a fatal error if you ask me. I would call "Beyond Abilities" a product rather than an album, and I suppose it will sell very well among the crowd of teenage "true" (but not real) Metal followers. To me this thing belongs to the neo-classical trend with occasional modern jazz touches, so I don’t want to lose too much time reviewing it. Not relevant for any self respecting Metal fan, and even less to the ones only dedicated to extreme Metal music. Awful, and beyond my abilities!

Edouard Vergriete

Edouard Vergriete

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