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REINXEED
A New World

Liljegren (2013)
Rating: 3/10

Swedish metallers ReinXeed are very much an acquired taste. They were formed in 2002 as the brainchild of vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and producer Tommy ReinXeed (aka Tommy Johansson), and A New World is the sixth full-length platter by this symphonic metal act.

ReinXeed combine the technical, soaring prowess of German metalheads Helloween and more theatrical elements, something akin to an epic soundtrack.

I’ve often been left cold by this sort of metal. Although I can appreciate the ability of vocalists such as Tommy ReinXeed, musically this sort of stuff really grates on me. This is mainly due to the glossy approach and crystal clear melodies, which border on the cheesy. ReinXeed are probably the best of a bad bunch however; the band combine their theatrics with blistering melodies and enormous soundscapes, although for me this sort of rock is better suited to the soundtrack of a multi-million pound fantasy film.

ReinXeed consists of guitarist Alex Oriz, bassist Chris David and drummer Alfred Fridhagen. While frontman Tommy ReinXeed is very much the multi-talented metal wizard, responsible also for those molten guitars and sweeping orchestration.

Despite the impact this sort of record makes, I’m nonetheless rarely moved by the rich harmonies of, say, opener ‘Distant Horizon’ with its epic Euro-metal crooning, or the pacey, galloping ‘Into The Darkness’. If anything, these sorts of tracks are more suited to a heavy metal Eurovision song contest, such is their showy feel and anthemic forays.

Tommy ReinXeed can’t be criticised as a vocalist but there’s something so pure about this record and yet it lacks fire, especially with the cringe worthy chords of ‘The Journey Home’. With those torturous melodies and ascending harmonies, the composition is basically heavy metal meets Abba. I guess if Tolkien’s The Lord Of The Rings had been a European production, then ReinXeed’s ‘The Journey Home’ would have been the perfect soundtrack.

After a few spins, I’m finding it very hard to take this sort of metal seriously. In fact, one only has to lend a brief ear to ‘The Star’ to realise just how cheese-encrusted this track is. Tommy ReinXeed’s vocals quickly begin to scrape the soul. Coupled with those Queen-esque harmonies and Euro-pop atmospherics, I’m heading for the door by the time the album slips into the equally glorified ‘Final Destination’, a track that attempts to evoke all the grandeur of Gandalf The Grey riding his white horse across the wastes.

‘Northern Allstars’ pretty much sums up the corny appeal of ReinXeed, but the harsh reality is this is very much the Glee of heavy metal, such is its camp approach. I just can’t get my head around the pomp and pout of this sort of poser metal, but if anyone is planning on making a piece of hi-tech animation based around a Dungeons & Dragons theme then I’m guessing ReinXeed would provide the ideal musical accompaniment.

Just as in the same way Meat Loaf waffles on and on like some theatrical, operatic slab of drama, ReinXeed follow a similar path but irritate even quicker than the deteriorating bat out of hell. Distinctly European and overtly corny, I don’t see how anyone can sit through more than a few minutes of this.

Neil Arnold

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