Rockreport.be - The enemy within (01/07)

To be honest, I have never understood why Grand Illusion’s last album, “Ordinary Just Won’t Do”, only landed on the 36th position in our poll of 2004. It should have been in the top 10. I gave the album a six star review and of the 9 RR members that gave their own opinions, three shared my 6-star opinion, while two rewarded the album with a 5,5 and four with a 5.

Anyway, this band is no longer, but it’s good to see two of its band members now showing up in a brand-new band, called Code. The two members in question are songwriter Anders Rydholm (b, k, g) and the incredible guitarist Ola af Trampe and together they have invited no one else than American vocalist Sherwood Ball to front their new band. A wise decision, if you ask me, because this Mr. Ball had already proved in the past what a good singer he is. Personally, I have two Sherwood Ball ’n Chain albums (“White Light” and “Folis Paradyce”) in my collection and every now and then I use to listen to them which always brings a smile on my face. Code’s line-up is rounded off with Gregg Bissonette, a drummer that doesn’t need an introduction anymore.

Sharing the same musical vision, Rydholm and Ball wrote about 40 songs, of which the best 11 were chosen for the debut album, “The Enemy Within”. What all of the selected songs have in common, is the fact that they’re all great and catchy tunes, performed by a bunch of excellent musicians, who gave the best of themselves. With highlights such as the title track, “Home Away From Home”, “How Can I Change The World?”, “Flying High” and “Sworn To Silence”, this is the first melodic hard rock highlight of the year. As a fan of this genre, I can only hope that many will follow. A must have for all fans of AOR/melodic hard rock!

Reviewed by: CL

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