OSUKARU – Salvation (CD)

Swedish melodic rockers Osukaru, formed around former EYE member Oz Osukaru, have now returned with their third release. The first one was a bit lacking in the vocal department, while this was solved on the second release. Now they are back with new singer Chris Tiann. At a first glance he sounds really good. The voice is there, no doubt. However, there are some pitch problems here and there that makes me cringe a bit, which is a pity. The production is fat and nice. The song material feels quite strong and good. A bit strange, abrupt ending on the otherwise nice track Highway To The Stars and I would have fixed the bum notes in the guitar solo of Hot Blooded Woman, though. Great intro riff of City Lights, which reminds me a bit of Giant. Good, solid melodies and an album that will attract fans of H.E.A.T, Dynazty, Danger Avenue etc.
Janne Stark
Country: Sweden
Year: 2012
Link: http://www.osukarumusic.com/

OSUKARU - Never Too Late (MCD)

Gothenburg based AOR band Osukaru was formed by former Eye guitarist Oskar “Oz Osukaru” Petersson. The band made their debut with the album GBG2LA (Gothenburg to Los Angeles). Musically it was a pretty good effort indeed. However, the vocals ruined it for me. Now Oz is back with a new mini-album and a new front man. That must be the best move he has made since quitting Eye! New singer Carl “CJ” Johan fits the style perfectly, he’s got a killer voice and takes the band to a new level indeed. At times he reminds me a bit of Leckemo of H.E.A.T, especially in second track City Lights. Osukaru is definitely a new force to be reckoned with when it comes to high class Swedish AOR. H.E.A.T, Dynazty, Danger Avenue, Houston and now Osukaru. What’s happening? A new wave of Swedish AOR? Well, as these bands really deliver I don’t have a problem with that, not at all! This EP starts out quite silky smooth with the title track, adds a bit of ballsy guitars in City Lights and goes to yet another level in Whatever It Takes, even though the chorus is as AOR as you get. This is what Firefest is made of, I tell you! Driven By Love is yet another, quite Journey:esque, melodic rocker that rounds of the section of new songs really nicely. The remaining two tracks are a radio edit of City Lights and a karaoke version of Never Too Late. Man, I can’t even image what this would sound like if someone like Beau Hill, Neal Kernon or Keith Olsen would set their teeth into this! This is definitely the next step for these boys, to get a producer/engineer that really understands what great AOR should sound like and that can help bring out the essence and the ultimate performance of this band. Then, this could be huge! The qualities are there, no doubt!

Janne Stark
Label: Dusty Road
Year: 2011
Country: Sweden
Link: www.osukarutheband.com <http://www.osukarutheband.com/>