Reviewing a Jorn album is never an easy task for me. We’re talking about my favorite singer from the last 15 years and I always try to approach his releases very objectively. In the end, it’s really the music contained what’s subjected to judgment since vocally, the man can’t go wrong. Having established this, let’s move to his latest offering.
The Norwegian powerhouse singer has a new live album titled “Live in Black”. The album was recorded at the Sweden Rock Festival on October 6th, 2010 in front of 25,000 fans. The crowd make this album an enjoyable experience creating an instant connection with the listener and leading to thoughts like “whoa, I wished I was there”.
“Live in Black” contains 17 songs taken from Jorn’s solo catalog and the selection is absolutely great. It contains tracks from his “Worldchanger” era up to his last album “Spirit Black”. From the opening notes of the album’s first track “Road of the Cross”, you will immediately notice that the band sounds heavier than ever. I love every single Jorn album and I find the music on his catalog a perfect balance between the subtle and the heavier side of hard rock, but on “Live In Black” the band delivered a huge heavy performance. This is without a doubt heavy metal at its prime. Besides the heaviness, the album contains plenty of emotive moments, and it reaches its pinnacle at the end of “Man of the Dark” with Jorn screaming to the crowd. “Who’s the man? Ronnie James is the man. He is the man, the man!” There aren’t enough words to describe the emotion I feel on this part, I shed some tears every time I listen to it. Jorn’s respect and love for Ronnie James Dio is genuine, and he shows it again reaching the last part of the last song “War of the World”, this time singing a line dedicated to “the Man on the Silver Mountain”.
In addition, Tore Moren and Tor Eryk Myhre guitars sound monumental and are very upfront in the mix, a very good choice having in mind the power in Jorn’s vocal delivery. Both guitar players feature very neat guitar solos, Tore at the beginning of “Tungur Knivur” and Tor Eryk at the end of the same song. Beating the drum kit is Willy Bendiksen, one of the most underrated drummers in the world. Well, it turns out that in “Live in Black” good ol’ Willy gave us his best drumming performance ever. The man simply abused the drum kit without mercy and added several new patterns giving some songs a new dimension. Apart from Jorn himself, Willy’s drumming is the best thing on “Live in Black”. And what can I say about Jorn’s performance? The man never ceases to amaze me. He is the full package of voice and charisma. There are plenty of great singers that are not that great when it comes to live performances. But Jorn is the opposite; he is even better live than in the studio as he shows more freedom and even a higher range. There’s no wonder why the performance in “Live in Black” is one of his best performances ever.
“Live in Black” is not just another live album to fulfill a contract. It’s a piece of art and simply one of the best live albums I have ever listened. You don’t find such an exceptional band, sounding so tight very often. And if you add to the equation the best voice in the business, you’re in for the win. If you are a Jorn fan, this album is a must. And if you are a newcomer to his music, this is the best place to start with. Get this album now!
Tracklist:
1. Road Of The Cross 5:51
2. Shadow People 3:45
3. Below 5:26
4. We Brought The Angels Down 4:24
5. Stormcrow 3:56
6. Spirit Black 4:26
7. The Inner Road 5:12
8. Man Of The Dark 5:58
1. Blacksong 4:50
2. Guitar Solo 3:30
3. Tungur Knivur 5:28
4. Guitar Solo 2:40
5. Rock And Roll Angel 5:17
6. Drum Solo 4:34
7. Soul Of The Wind 5:36
8. Are You Ready 4:17
9. War Of The World 8:36