Nordic Union is another of those music collaborations which Frontiers have become the masters of creating over the last few years. This one brings together Ronnie Atkins of the Pretty Maids and Erik Martensson from Eclipse and W.E.T. and has resulted in an album that is well worth checking out. The self-titled “Nordic Union” was released by Frontiers on 29th January. Earlier this month I played “The War Has Begun” on the Friday NI Rocks Show and “Hypocrisy” on the NI Rocks A-Z Show.
Ronnie Atkins has fronted Danish rock band Pretty Maids since 1981 and he provides the vocals on the album, whilst Erik Martensson does just about everything else – playing lead guitar, bass and keyboards, providing background vocals and producing the album! Magnus Ulfstedt from Eclipse and Grand Design is the drummer on the album. There are guest solos from guitarists Thomas Larsson, Fredrik Folkare and Magnus Henriksson.
As well as the tracks that I’ve played on the Shows, my favourites would be “When Death Is Calling”, “21 Guns” and “The Other Side”. A video has been released for the track “Hypocrisy”.
About “NI Rocks Recommends”
The simple idea behind “NI Rocks Recommends” is to acknowledge and promote some of the great music being submitted to Rock Radio NI. I'll not be giving marks or ratings or analyzing the tracks in great detail; just telling you something about the artist and the album. It’s a personal recommendation, not a traditional “review”!
My musical tastes cover most things rock; from the not too melodic to the not too heavy. The albums that I’ll be recommending are merely those that I would buy myself and which you’ll be hearing played on my shows on Rock Radio NI.
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