Nubian Rose Mountain

2012, in short, NUBIAN ROSE should be the next Swedish sensation! This awesome new Scandi band has released their debut "Mountain" and surely it will turn heads everywhere. Actually, Nubian Rose revolves around singer Sofia Lilja as a vehicle for his stardom, but it's fair to say the music in this CD sounds played by a real band, and a damn fine one. Sofia Lilja is a renowned vocal coach in North Europe, mosty recently recognized for training Swedish TV4-show Idol artists. But this girl is more than a teacher, owner of an incredible register and an overwhelming personality. This girl has the pipes and the technique of a young Jackie Bodimead, Kristina Nichols, Gudrun Laos or Lee Aaron, and the fire of a wild rocker. The songs are full of energy, catchiness, foot-tapping choruses... the twin guitar work is always varied and scintillating, plenty of staccato slashing, all over a smashing rhythm section and clever keyboards when needed and the brilliant female singer. Just to mention the guest stars, the excellent cover of Lita Ford / Ozzy classic "Close My Eyes Forever" is performed in duet with Mats Levén (Yngwie Malmsteen, Therion, Swedish Erotica) and Europe guitarist Kee Marcello who appears on "Living For Tomorrow". Meaty, awe-inspiring '80s Female Fronted Melodic Hard Rock. I mean pure in all aspects; songwriting, attitude and sonics. Highly Recommended.