KEE MARCELLO’S K2 – Melon Demon Divine

Most people know Kee Marcello from the Swedish supergroup Europe, where he played guitars in the late 1980s and the early 1990s.

Things have changed during the years … Kee Marcello has definitely developed his own sense of style, and from this development we get the album Melon Demon Divine. Some might say this is Kee’s way of getting back at Europe for leaving him out of their comeback, and if this is true, then he sure IS getting back … big time!

This is much heavier, innovative, and more interesting than Europe has ever been. Exploring, Exciting, Erotic and simply Divine! Melon Demon Divine manages to capture everything from magical guitar solos, Nu-Metal segments, ballads, and even some rap, all based in good old Heavy Metal. Beat that?! Seems like Kee and his new best friends, Klatuu and Snowy Shaw, had a great time at Kee Marcello’s “in-house studio:” GEM in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The album’s first song, “E.M.D.” (Everything Must Die), starts it off as such an exciting and brilliant song, and it just carries on through to the end. Subsequent songs “Enemies,” “Blood,” and “Epic” are all perfectly made for Kee’s voice … all mellow, but still Heavy Metal. The song “Raptor” (from the US motion picture Blood Shot) features riffs from Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir,” so you’ll probably think, “ I’ve heard this before!” and it may even make you think of Puff Daddy’s (with Jimmy Page!) Godzilla video.

Then, after an overdose of great tunes, the rest of the album is filled with good, catchy tunes, but none of them stand out as much as the first five.

Kee’s voice is a bit hoarse (sexy hoarse), and at times resembles Sting from his Police days, and even Don Henley (Boys of Summer), unfortunately it’s a bit nasal at times, especially when singing “Ride On.” Kee on guitar as always is excellent, though!

All in all, the Melon Demon Divine album will have you hoping Kee Marcello continues to keep playing on in his own “Evil Ways!”