LAURENNE/LOUHIMO – The Reckoning

9.5/10

LAURENNE/LOUHIMO - The Reckoning - 9.5/10

9.5/10

Summary

Frontiers Records
Release date: July 9, 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.

[/spoiler]

Sending

User Review

10/10 (1 vote)

The Backstory

Smackbound vocalist Netta Laurenne and Battle Beast vocalist Noora Louhimo join forces for their debut collaboration The Reckoning. The album was written by Netta and her husband, guitarist (Thunderstone), producer Nino Laurenne.

[Watch our Netta Laurenne interview HERE]

The Album

Driving guitars lead the charge on the album’s opener “Time to Kill the Night.” Netta and Noora trade off vocals and melodies. “The Reckoning” is powerful in its delivery and displays the fiery guitar work of Nino Laurenne. The music gets a little darker and the vocals get a little more angry on “Tongue of Dirt.” The energy and hooks of “Striking Like a Thunder” cannot be ignored nor forgotten.

“Bitch Fire” is loaded with Laurenne and Loihimo’s intensity and vigor. It’s the song that many have been talking about, and with good reason. However, the real “money” song is “Hurricane Love.” The ballad is moving, full of melodic emotion, and has a chorus that won’t leave your head any time soon. “To The Wall” could easily be the sister track to “The Reckoning,” while “Walk Through Fire” keeps the fervor alive deep into the album.

The Verdict

Undoubtedly there are some of you that are thinking, “not another Frontiers vocalist pairing album?!” You would have good reason to think that because some of them have been great and some not so good. Rest assured that the pairing of Netta Laurenne and Noora Louhimo is a winning combination on The Reckoning. The album is equal parts Heavy Metal and Melodic Rock. The powerhouse vocalists play well off of each other. Each song easily stands on its own. The Reckoning stands tall alongside the first legendary Frontiers vocalist pairing of Allen/Lande on The Battle.

Tracklist

Time to Kill The Night
The Reckoning
Tongue of Dirt
Striking Like a Thunder
Bitch Fire
Hurricane Love
To The Wall
Viper’s Kiss
Walk Through Fire
Dancers of Truth

Author

George Dionne

George was a contributor here at Metal Express Radio, reviewing albums and conducting interviews, out of Massachusetts, USA. George has contributed to numerous music related websites and blogs, and even managed his own from 2004-2009. George's first assignment was covering a live show by the mighty GWAR. By contrast his later assignments featured Judas Priest, Van Halen, and Bon Jovi. George was also the front man for the South Eastern Massachusetts cover band Sound Tower from 2009-2015. Sound Tower played 300+ shows across MA and had two original songs on the Cape Cod radio station PIXY 103. George enjoys a good whiskey, scotch, and/or bourbon and fights crime in his spare time.
View all posts