W.E.T are back with their third studio album Earthrage. Since forming back in 2009 the band
has gone from strength to strength and has so far proved to be one of the most successful
collaborations from a record label. Frontiers decided to throw together Robert Säll (the “W”
from Work of Art), Erik Mårtensson (the “E” from Eclipse) and Jeff Scott Soto (the “T” from
Talisman) with Eclipse guitarist Magnus Henriksson and drummer Robban Bäck to see what
would happen. However this is not the first time that Frontiers have decided to do this, the only
difference this time is that the band has seen much more support from fans and have even
played festivals together such as Frontiers Rock Festival (Italy), Firefest (UK), Melodic Rock
Fest (US) and Metallsvenskan (Sweden). This latest album comes in the midst of each member
also releasing their own work which means that as a group they have had to step up creatively
and musically.
Earthrage is everything fans have come to expect from both this band and the artists
themselves which is rock solid melodic rock. Thought the album there is the classic riffs and
sounds that are catchy and the perfect embodiment of AOR music. Each track has this blend
that clearly shows how the band has stepped up from opening track “Watch The Fire” all the
way through to “The Never ending Retractable Dream”.
One of the highlights off the album is the softer more ballad track of “Elegantly Wasted”. The
sound of Soto’s voice is the first sound you hear at the start of the track before being backed by
the repetitive rhythm of keys. Kicking up as the track heads into the chorus and the rest of the
band joins in. The track has the kind of rhythm that would usually be used for a track about
heartbreak and love stories however W.E.T have spun this to be about arguing with a significant
other and drinking away the problems. For example the line “Another glass of wine and I'll be
fine” is the perfect example of how this is less than a ballad. But not to fear the band has in fact
written a true ballad track with “Heart Is On The Line” which has the usual soft riffs of the guitars
and lyrics of love.
The album also has some much heavier tracks that are much more toe-tapping and head
nodding such as “Kings On Thunder Road”. The track starts off with the heavier guitars and
leads into a seriously catchy chorus that is fast and melodic. However “Urgent” has one of the
most catchy riffs on the album despite the opening chords resembling the beginning of a Kaiser
Chiefs track. The overall sound is much heavier and throw in a scream from Soto has a much
harder rock feel. It is clear to see why this track was released as a single as the talents of both
Mårtensson and Henriksson are showcased throughout with some epic solos thrown in as well.
Earthrage is such an easy album to listen to as it pulls you in with the melodies and makes you
stay with its catchy lines. This team of artists have clearly worked together in a way that
allows each of their talents to shine and will no doubt have fans continue to love them. You can
only get this calibre of music by putting some of the best in the business together and watching
them grow and this is exactly what has happened here and I've no doubt we will continue to
hear from W.E.T as there seems to be no signs of any of them stopping any time soon.
