MelodicRock.com Reviews


LAST TRIBE
THE RITUAL
Frontiers / Now & Then FRCD 085
Produced by: Anders Theander & Magnus Karlsson
Released: OUT / Website
Closest Relative: Dream Theater, Vaughn
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 81%

  1. Spellbound
  2. Tears Of Gold
  3. Black Widow
  4. Made Of Stone
  5. Blood On Your Hands
  6. Falling
  7. Flying High
  8. One Of A Kind
  9. Ready For The Storm
  10. The Ritual

Last Tribe are one hell of an interesting band. Being unknown, they are going to have a problem reached their target audience, so read through this and check out soundbytes if it sounds of interest.
The band are from Sweden (again!), meaning there is a naturally strong European influence, but an equal American one also.
Mirroring their name, Last Tribe have a somewhat earthy vibe to their sound, which mixes a heavy progressive edge with a more commercial and stripped back melodic rock sound - comparable to a heavy metal equivalent of the Midwestern style in which Vaughn currently explore.
So, mix these influences together and over the course of the album, the band sound like Dream Theater meets Vaughn, with touches of the melodic aggressiveness of Bruce Dickenson and Iron Maiden where vocalist Rickard Bengtsson is concerned.
BOTTOM LINE: This is a very strong melodic heavy metal album that deserves to get some good attention and some acclaim. I hope that this record finds an audience it deserves and is best suited to. A strong debut, and one for those that like a twist in the musical tale.
PRODUCTION: 80% SONGS: 80% VIBE: 78%ATTITUDE: 85%
ESSENTIAL FOR: Fans of heavy, but commercial progressive music, fans of Dream Theater and Iron Maiden.



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