KEE MARCELLO (Europe) - Judas Kiss (2013)

*

Swedish axe-slinger, former Europe guitarist KEE MARCELLO seems to be a very busy man lately, decided to recover his place into the international Rock scene.
After releasing his controversial Europe own-versions album 'Redux: Europe', the 'humbly' entitled biography 'The Rock Star God Forgot' and his performance in the well known musical Rock Of Ages in Scandinavia, Marcello has just released a brand new CD.
"Judas Kiss" is his third solo album featuring original material since the last almost nine years ago.

Decidedly into a full rocking territory, "Judas Kiss" is basically a traditional Hard Rock album with an updated sound & style.
Sometimes really melodic, quite hard n' heavy in others, this new offering finds Marcello in great form, both musically (he has undoubtedly inspired many players since Europe's Superstitious back in the late '80s) as well as in the songwriting.
"Judas Kiss" as a whole is a solid piece of kickin' Hard Rock. 13 tracks about love, loss, road weariness and betrayal (there's some good lyrics to be found) wrapped by potent riffs, incendiary solos and a groovy rhythm section.
Kee is singing better, his slightly raspy style fit with good feeling these bluesy inspired hard rockers. His playing is out of question, displayed here in abundant variations.

On the melodic side, "Starless Sky" is the highlight, somehow a midtempo rocker with excellent verses both in the vocals and the instrumental arrangements. Killer solo and layered chorus.
Despite its uptempo rhythm and some gritty vocals, opener "Zombie" is a melodic hard rock song in essence, while the bone-dry, groovy yet melodious "Dead End Highway" (love the solo here) and title track "Judas Kiss" recalls his ex-bandmates circa Start From The Dark years.
Another nice track which adds variation is the melodic march of "And Forever More", featuring female singer Akane Liv dueting with Kee. The main melody is inspired by one of Europe's best tracks ever; Girl From Lebanon.
"Coming Home" is the album's token ballad, slowing things down a bit with an earthy guitar work and modulated vocals. Good one.

But also we find in this CD some truly hard hitting numbers such as "Get On Top", the dark "Metal Box", "The Harder They Come" (with a riff dangerously close to Metallica's Enter Sandman, but cool), and the crunchy "Dog Eat Dog". "I'm Stoned" features some down-tuned guitars and a refrain akin Alice In Chains working well on all levels.
"Love Will Tear Us Apart" is a cover of Joy Division, at first glance certainly an odd choice, but Marchello has cleverly arranged the song in Melodic Rockin' way, adding even more balance to the album. I liked a lot this one.

Kee Marcello proves with "Judas Kiss" that there's life for him after Europe.
Perhaps it has taken too many years to find his own musical identity, but never it's too late, and this new recording is by far the best of his solo career.
Well written, arranged and superbly played, "Judas Kiss" has a dynamic production - I would preferred a more crispy sound - but seems Kee wants to attack with more bite and this matter is amply accomplished here.
Very Recommended.


01. Zombie
02. Dog Eat Dog
03. Starless Sky
04. I'm Stoned
05. Dead End Highway
06. Judas Kiss
07. And Forever More (duet with Akane Liv)
08. Coming Home
09. Get On Top
10. The Harder They Come
11. Dead Give Away
12. Love Will Tear Us Apart
13. Metal Box

Kee Marcello: Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals
Jonny Scaramanga: Guitar
Ken Sandin: Bass
Tim Brown: Drums
Akane Liv: guest Vocals



BUY IT !
cdon.se/musik/marcello_kee/judas_kiss-22923322

Read more...

KEE MARCELLO - Redux ; Shine On (2012)

*

KEE MARCELLO is one of those artists who is able to turn his hand to anything without fear.
He started his career in 1982 with the glam rock band Easy Action recording two albums. In '86 he joined Europe and toured the World three times. His name as a renowned guitarist was established and the time was ripe for the release of an instructional video. One year later came the bluesy-rock project Red Fun.

Then was time for his solo debut album, 1995's “Shine On”. As said, he has played many genres without fear, and in this first effort as solo artist, Kee goes Melodic Rock.
This recording sees Marcello in a more intimate way, delivering a good bunch of tunes with a much mellower approach than in his previous bands. Not in vain the original release cover of this album pictures him sporting a big acoustic guitar.
Now, Kee is releasing a remastered and repackaged version of this CD as "Redux : Shine On", including three bonuses.


Back in the day I liked this album alot, and I like it now.
Includes some truly good laid back Melodic Rock songs, beautifully crafted around organic melodies. Marcello's vocal timbre fits this style nicely, it's warm and affectionate.
We have some rockers too with Kee showing his six-string abilities, not in a flashing way but with a classic style and sound.
The three bonus tracks are outtakes from the "Shine On"s recording sessions, not with the quality standards of the main album tracks, but all are a nice addition to your collection.
Really Good.

You've seen it first here, at zerodayrock


01 - When The Rain Comes Falling
02 - Shine On
03 - Sweet Little Sister
04 - Rough Ride
05 - La Liaison
06 - Tonight Belongs To Us
07 - Credo (I Belive)
08 - The Wind Cries Your Name
09 - River Of Karma
10 - Fine Line
11 - Together Alone
12 - Magic Potion (Outtake) [Redux bonus]
13 - Call Me (Outtake) [Redux bonus]
14 - You're The Most Beautiful (Outtake) [Redux bonus]


Kee Marcello – Lead vocals, Guitars
Johan Lyndström – Guitar
Svante Henryson – Bass
Mats Asplen – Keyboards
Magnus Persson – Drums




BUY IT !
www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8704826

Read more...

KEE MARCELLO - Redux : Europe (2012)

*

Kjell Hilding Lövbom, most known as KEE MARCELLO, the guitarist who replaced John Norum in the Swedish band Europe back in 1986, just released in Sweden "Redux : Europe", featuring own new tracks alongside modern, harder-sounding re-recordings of Europe and Marcello's previous band Easy Action hits.
The CD will be released in the rest of the world in February 2012, accompanied by remastered and repackaged versions of Kee's two solo earlier albums, "Redux : Shine On" and "Redux : Melon Demon Divine".

When asked why he chose to re-record Europe songs, Marcello said, " *Redux* is Latin for 'reclaim' or 'take back,' and that's what I'm doing here. These songs are part of my past and I wanted to bring them into the future."
This is a controversial release for sure. But not the only one.
Marcello is publishing as well his autobiographical book 'The Rock Star God Forgot', revealing some 'dirty secrets' (from his view) of his years as Europe member.
More than that, Kee has sparked a scandal in an interview with the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, revealing that he is suing Europe for one fifth of the revenue the band has earned since 1993.
According to Kee, he bought out John Norum when he replaced him in 1986 and therefore owns a fifth of the brand 'Europe'.
"We tried to reach a settlement, one million Euros," Kee said, "But they did not react to it and therefore we must take them to court. I bought all of Norum's rights in 1987 when I joined the band, so in order to get them back, we have to make some kind of settlement."
In the interview Kee also claimed he was promised to be a part of the 2003 reunion together with Norum, but their manager Petri H. Lunden 'broke the promise' and told Kee he was out of the band.

Ugh.
Let's better talk about the music on "Redux : Europe".
These Europe classic songs are untouchable, none can make better versions of these gems. Albums as "Out Of This World" and "Prisoners In Paradise" still rank between my favorites ever.
But seems Kee needed to re-record them in his own style. Most of them are pretty well versioned with a modern production, particularly the songs taken from 'Prisoners In Paradise' and the Easy Action (Marcello's previous band) tracks.
Surprisingly, Kee sings well, with a rougher style, but in control. He isn't able to reach Joey Tempest range, then the vocal parts were arranged to suit his voice, which works for the most part.
Of course, his melodic, terrific sustained guitar tone and technique is intact, and he shines specially on the good instrumental tracks featured here.


Listening "Redux : Europe" from an outsider perspective (not as Europe fan), this is a good rocking album, very well performed and produced.
A good song is always a good song, and there's many here. Most of them works well.
But I don't like some versions at all. In example, "The Final Countdown" was substantially changed here and Kee's vocals are weak. "Mind In The Gutter" featuring (his daughter?) Hanna Marcello is terrible. On the other hand, a very difficult song to perform as "Carrie" was truly well rounded.
Anyway, as said, "Redux : Europe" is a good Hard Rock disc, with a remarkable good production and strong musical performances.
It depends on you if you like it or not...


01 - Redux : Europe
02 - Superstitious
03 - Seventh Sign
04 - Let The Good Times Rock
05 - Girl From Lebanon
06 - The Final Countdown
07 - We Go Rocking (Slight Return)
08 - Carrie
09 - Hammers Heart
10 - Bumble Kee
11 - Here Comes The Night
12 - Halfway To Heaven
13 - More Than Meets The Eye
14 - Mind In The Gutter (feat. Hanna Marcello)
15 - Open Your Heart
16 - Rock The Night


Kee Marcello: Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals
Jonny Scaramanga: Guitar
Ken Sandin: Bass
Paul White: Drums
The Unknown: Keyboards
Hanna Marcello: guest Vocals




BUY IT !
cdon.se/musik/marcello_kee/redux_europe_(signerad)-16081621

Read more...