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SOCIAL DISORDER - Love 2 Be Hated - 8/108/10
Summary
AFM Records
Release date: June 18, 2021
[spoiler title=’Metal Express Radio – Ratings Scale’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]
10.0: Cannot be improved! Perfect, instant classic! Essential in any record collection.
9.5 – 9.9: Fantastic, spectacular and outstanding!
9.0 – 9.4: Amazing release! It just lacks that little extra spice to make it perfect.
8.5 – 8.9: Exceptional release! Will likely rank among top ten albums of the year.
8.0 – 8.4: Great release! It has many different qualities.
7.5 – 7.9: Above average! It is an enjoyable release.
7.0 – 7.4: It is not brilliant, but has many strong points.
6.0 – 6.9: It has its moments, but is not that strong.
5.0 – 5.9: Slightly above average, does not stand out. Good outweighs bad by just a little.
4.0 – 4.9: Just below average, bad outweighs good by just a little.
3.0 – 3.9: Mediocre. There might be a song or a performance that is enjoyable, but that is it.
2.0 – 2.9: Very weak! There might be a light at the end of the tunnel, too many flaws.
1.0 – 1.9: This release gives the word “terrible” new meaning.
0.1 – 0.9: Awful! Avoid at all cost. There is nothing good to say about this release.
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User Review
( votes)The Backstory
Anders “LA” Rönnblom is best known as the founder, bass player, and songwriter for the Swedish-Canadian act Killer Bee. In addition, Anders is also a member of X-Romance and Wolfpakk. 2021 sees the release of Rönnblom’s latest venture Social Disorder.
For the project’s debut release Love 2 Be Hated, Anders draws lyrical material from his personal life and enlists a who’s who of his musician friends such as; Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns), Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy), Jeff Duncan (Armored Saint), Dave Stone (Rainbow), Snowy Shaw (King Diamond), Shawn Duncan (DC4) and Leif Ehlin (Perfect Plan). Love 2 Be Hated also features up-and-coming Swedish vocalist Thomas Nordin.
[Listen to our Anders “LA” Rönnblom interview HERE]The Album
“Windy Road” kicks things off with haunting guitar and ominous bass tones. The message is clear, life is full of ups and downs but you’re going to get through it. The smoky vocals of Thomas Nordin is a perfect mix of David Coverdale and Joe Lynn Turner. The track builds with instrumentation and emotion. “Dreaming” kicks up the tempo and will have you moving your head up and down. The chorus is very melodic and catchy. Rönnblom doesn’t disguise the fact that he set these songs to the ’70s and ’80s Rock he grew up appreciating. Strong influences to Deep Purple and Rainbow can be heard on the bluesy track “Scars” as well as others.
The album’s title track “Love 2 Be Hated” has one of those “whoa” sections that beg to be sung along with. The fuzzy guitar riffage sets the background for the Nordin’s passionate vocals. “Raise a Glass” has a toe-tapping drum beat that compliments the high you get when you meet someone new that you are highly attracted to. Tales of the ocean and seafaring were quite common in ’70s Rock music, and “Sail Away” is Rönnblom’s homage to that.
Relationships are fractured on the surprisingly upbeat track “Down on My Knees.” The heartbreak continues on “Out of Love.” The pulsing Hammond keyboard tones gives the track that extra little something. With the ballad “The One,” love is resurrected with soft piano and subtle yet effective guitar licks. When you have so many great musicians on one project, you have to give them at least one song to cut loose and show off. “Wings of Serenity” is that song.
The Verdict
What makes Love 2 Be Hated such a great album is that the music isn’t overly complicated and the lyrics are simple but to the point. You won’t find too many people that can’t relate to these 9 songs. Anders “LA” Rönnblom brings back that ’70s & ’80s Rock spirit with Social Disorder, as he shares his hardships and triumphs with World.
Tracklist
- Windy Road
- Dreaming
- Scars
- Love 2 Be Hated
- Raise a Glass
- Sail Away
- Down On My Knees
- Out of Love
- The One
- Wings of Serenity
Social Disorder is
Anders L.A. Rönnblom – Bass & Rhythm Guitar (Killer Bee, X-Romance, Wolfpakk)
Thomas Nordin – Vocals
Tracii Guns – Lead & Rhythm Guitar (L.A. Guns)
Shawn Duncan – Drums (DC4, Odin)
Rudy Sarzo – Bass Guitar (Ozzy Osbourne)
Jeff Duncan – Lead & Rhythm Guitar (Armored Saint)
Snowy Shaw – Drums (King Diamond)
Dave Stone – Keyboard (Rainbow)
Leif Ehlin – Keyboard (Perfect Plan)
Johan Niskanen – Lead & Rhythm Guitar (Dust)
Fredrik Tjerneld – Lead Guitar (X-Romance)
Thomas Widmark – Keyboard (X-Romance)
Kenta Karlbom – Drums (X-Romance, Goatess)
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