ANETTE OLZON
“Strong”
Album Review by Piers Renfree

8.5/10

Although Swedish singer Anette Olzon is best known for her five year period (2007 – 2012) of fronting Nightwish, and the two albums that she made with them (2007’s “Dark Passion Play” and 2011’s “Imaginaerium”) – there is much more to her career.

She is also the singer for Swedish classic rock band Alyson Avenue with whom she has released two albums (“Presence Of Mind” and “Omega”, which was re-released in 2009 as “Omega II”), and the Finnish heavy metal band The Dark Element, releasing the albums “The Dark Element” and “Songs The Night Sings”.

Anette has also done guest vocals for a number of bands including “Heart Healer: The Metal Opera by Magnus Karlsson, Power Quest, Pain, and The Rasmus; and last year released an album with Symphony X vocalist, Russell Allen, “Worlds Apart” under the name Allen/Olzon. Anette also started working as a full-time nurse, during the COVID pandemic of last year, so she now balances her musical career, with that of her nursing duties and her family.

“Strong” is Anette’s second solo album, following her solo debut, 2014’s “Shine”. For this album Anette has teamed up with former Pain bassist (and her husband) Johan Husgrafvel, guitarist Magnus Karlsson, with whom she wrote the album, and drummer Anders Köllerfors.

Opening song “Bye Bye Bye” sets a nice pace and lyrically talks about how she left Nightwish. 

“Sick Of You” follows suit musically and deals with abusive relationships and third song “I Need To Stay” is about parents who had (or have) troubled relationships with their children and facing death, wishing that they could make amends.

The title track talks about people needing to be strong and work together through the COVID pandemic, whilst “Sad Lullaby” pays tribute to Anette’s father who passed away due to COVID complications. “Catcher Of My Dreams” deals with Anette’s troubles with night terrors and “Fantastic Fanatic” is critical of digital influencers who preach about reducing pollution, whilst using the most polluting methods of transport to get around.

The music is epic, with time and tempo changes, Anette’s vocals are clear and her vocal lines are very melodic and catchy. Personally I found Johan’s growls to be the weak point of the album, they detract from the overall feel.

The production is crisp and clear, everyone gets heard fairly, no-one is overshadowed here.

Overall a very good album, well worth checking out. 

TRACKLIST

Bye Bye Bye
Sick Of You
I Need To Stay
Strong
Parasite
Sad Lullaby
Fantastic Fanatic
Who Can Save Them
Catcher Of My Dreams
Hear Them Roar
Roll The Dice

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