John Norum

Ok, first off, let me get all sentimental and nostalgic for a minute. I have to say that Europe's Wings of Tomorrow album was the first metal album I was ever introduced to. The sound on that album is unique and can only be compared to later releases by John Norum, as well as the brilliant Pretty Maids cd, Jump the Gun. If you haven't heard any of these, you will have no idea what I am talking about. But way back in 1984 I believe, a Swedish band made this Wings of Tomorrow album that would later impact my life tremendously plus corrupt this girl into loving heavy metal music. Those strictly familiar with Europe's poppish The Final Countdown release that have never heard their earlier stuff is to be pitied since WOT is truly a masterpiece.

Well John Norum was the guitarist on Wings of Tomorrow which I loved so much, and this being the first Norum solo project I was able to get my hands on, I had to wonder what it was going to sound like. Well.....my jaw dropped to the floor, when I realized it was WOT revisted......John Norum and vocalist Goran Edman share the lead vocal spots, and sometimes you have to listen carefully to distinguish the two. Norum has far more songs featuring his voice than Goran, and even though I was disappointed with this at first, I am used to it now, because Norum has a FINE voice. I have NO Idea why he keeps that loser Kelly Keeling around these days, but I think he should shake him and just do all the lead vocals himself.

No matter who sings, its the songs that are important when you get down to the line, and Total Control comes packed with eleven of the suckers. Ten with vocals in all, one of these being a Phil Lynott cover and then an instrumental. Warning to Prog metal fans: There are NO 4 minute long prelude instrumentals, NO 5 minute guitar solos and NO 10 minute keyboard tinkerings. Nope. In fact most of the songs barely clock in at over 3:30. Norum was very influenced by Yngwie Malmsteen at this time, and actually took his music in the direction Yngwie would later go in, beating Yng to it. However, John concentrates on creating great songs that are just long enough. They are not repetitive nor grate on the nerves, all of the unnecessary stuff was sheared off, leaving some really superb short and sweet songs.

I won't go through each individual song, like usual, since most everyone that would want this already has it, and if you are shopping around for this, then the following should be enough to give you a really good idea about what this gem of a cd sounds like.
There are some truly great songs, Law of Life, which has such a strong hook that it drove me insane for days, there is Let Me Love You, which is a compacted song, sheared down to a beautiful creature indeed, the rather uptempto Someone Else Here, the closest thing to a ballad tucked away on here, Too Many Hearts, all of these sung by John Norum himself, with several memorable riffs tossed in here and there for good measure.
The Goran Edman material is just as good as the rest, you have the fast and furious Eternal Flame, the catchy Love Is Meant to Last Forever, which In my opinion COULD have EASILY been a Wings of Tomorrow song, when I first heard that one, I could only silently thank John Norum for including such a magnificently Europe-ish tune on here. Back on the Streets is also a memorable Goran song, that reminded me alot of what was to come from Yngwie with Goran singing on Eclipse.
There is also the Lynott song Wild One, which is penned perfectly by John Norum. John thinks he can sing alot like Phil Lynott when he wants to, and he's right, he can, which makes this inclusion a delightful treat. In Chase of the Wind is an elegant yet very Aphasia-like instrumental were John lets it all loose.

This is definitely a heavy metal treat. The songs are structured with pop sensibilites intact but minus any cheesiness, no this is NOT a hair band album by any shot, but more of a European stamped neo classical metal album. If you enjoyed Europe's Wings of Tomorrow, Pretty Maids Jump the Gun or Future World, or Yngwie Malmsteen's Eclipse, then this album is a must have. The production has just a tad of a hollow sound to it, but like Omen's Battle Cry, it just enhances the overall Norum experience. There is no muddiness, its more of a lower sound level than most releases have today. And even though its very much a studio sounding release, you still get the feeling now and then that its being performed live, which is nice. All the guitar riffs are nicely placed, John learned quite a bit from being in Europe with Joey Tempest on how to make a great song that appeals to the mainstream as well as the metal crowd. So if heavy synthesizer rhythms and compact and very listenable songs with great vocals is your thing, then Total Control is a release I would strongly suggest checking out. Its rumored to have been deleted in the US, so it may be only available through import, any which way you can get it, its worth obtaining and is a must have for any Europe/John Norum/Yngwie fan. Furthermore, and finally, its the kind of cd that makes you realize why you loved metal so much in the first place, and that speaks volumes.

*Production*	*Songs*	*Lyrics*	*Performance*	*Overall*
8.4	9.8	8.5	9.6	9.5