SANDALINAS: Living On the Edge

Sandalinas

Living On the Edge

© 2005 NIGHTMARE RECORDS (734923002222)

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A Rare and Magnificent Hard Rock masterpiece, members from from Spain & Sweden.Rave reviews the world over.pick it up now.

notes

Comments: Living On The Edge, the full-length debut from Sandalinas, is a finely tuned album that hearkens to the glory sounds of progressive metal and hard rock of the 1980s. For those who have tired from the endless barrage of "new bands" and their guitarists who barely have enough aptitude to pick up an instrument, this disc is a warm welcome. Many styles from the metal genre are revisited with great enthusiasm and ability, all fused together into a fine alloy.

Sandalinas is comprised, on the album at least, of Barcelona-born Jordi Sandalinas (guitar), Apollo Papathanasio (vocals), Xavier Monfort (bass), Xavier Perez (drums), Victor Casado (guitar), and Marcus Palsson (keyboards). The most recognizable name on the CD to most, perhaps, belongs to the producer: Andy La Rocque, of King Diamond fame. It was a fateful meeting in a recording studio back in 2000 between La Rocque and Sandalinas, where Jordi played some of his demos for Andy, that the genesis of the project was born. From there Sandalinas brought Monfort, a jazz studio gun, from Spain, and La Rocque introduced Papathanasio.

Rhythmically, Living On The Edge tips its hat to many styles of hard rock and metal. "All Along The Everglades" and "The Conqueror" encompass the nobility and majesty of their New Wave Of British Heavy Metal pioneers Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, while tracks like "The Day The Earth Died" and "Heaven In You" are reminiscent of the Dio-era Rainbow in its melodic and quietest moments. A nod must be given to singer Papathanasio. His mid-range voice sounds similar to Gary Barden (and in some cases, like John Sykes in the supercharged road trip song, "Back In Time"), and is as important in the album's seamless sound and vibe.

To name your group after yourself is a daring decision. It places a lot of pressure to live up to the confidence created by stamping your surname on the cover. Though the name Sandalinas doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, Jordi's confidence in his playing covers this roll of the dice with much interest. Whether he's churning and burning on "The Ritual Of Truth" or strumming acoustic on the upbeat "Die Hard," Sandalinas demostrates not only what missing in today's rock, but the kind of music that sophisticated rivetheads miss.

Track Listing: 1. Living On The Edge 2. All Along the Everglades 3. The ritual of truth 4. Follow Me 5. If It Wasn't for You 6. The Day the Earth Died 7. The Conqueror 8. Heaven in You 9. Back in Time 10. Die Hard

Band Site: www.sandalinas.com
Label: www.nightmarerecords.com

HARDROCK HAVEN REVIEWS Rating: 9.5/10
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I like it when a label succeeds in surprising me with a new act and believe me, Sandalinas deliver the goods with ease!
The band is named after Jordi Sandalinas, who was born in Barcelona (Spain) in 1971. He started playing piano at the age of 9, but switched to guitar after having listened to Iron Maiden's Adrian Smith. The Sandalinas project began back in 2000, when Jordi gathered some of the songs he had written and decided to record an album at a well-known recording studio with a great producer twiddling the knobs. Therefore he talked to Andy LaRocque (guitarist of King Diamond) and invited him to listen to some of the tracks. Andy was quickly convinced and introduced vocalist Apollo Papathanasio (Faith Taboo, Meduza and Time Requiem) as well as drummer Daniel Moilanen. All agreed on the quality of the song material and with further help from guitarist Victor Casado and bassist Fran Duarte ten songs were recorded under LaRocque's guidance.
The result is stunning to say the least. The songs are catchy as hell and will apply to a wide audience, because of influences coming from various corners such as classic hard rock, neo-classical rock, AOR and power metal. I know this may sound a bit strange, but you have to listen to it to believe that it is really that good. Among my favourite songs are opener "Living On The Edge" (no, not a cover Aerosmith's song of the same name), "Follow Me", "The Day The Earth Died" (Apollo at his best!) and "Die Hard".
If you like bands like Gotthard or Pink Cream 69, this Spanish/Swedish co-operation is one to try out now. A revelation, for sure! (CL)
REVIEW POSTED ON ROCK REPORT (NETHERLANDS)

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Massacre Records - 2005

Spanish power metal is usually a rarity..off the top of my head i can only think of only two bands, so it's great to see more from the country passing through the barrier. Sandilinas is the brainchild of Barcelona born guitarist Jordi Sandalinas who studied music at the Conservatory of Music of Barcelona when he was just 9(!). But it wasn't until 2000 when he introduced a few of his songs to Andy LaRocque, King Diamond guitarist, that he was persuaded to recruit a full band. Andy loved the tracks and eventually got offered the job to produce the album.

The first thing you notice when the title track kicks in is that, instead of the full power metal vein you are expecting, there is a more hard rock approach to the sound. I'd compare it more to Masterplan and Thunderstone than Gamma Ray. The tunes are driven hard by some great, solid drums and a very beefy bass! This theme is continued in most of the tracks such as "All Along the Everglades" and "Back In Time". However, a more power metal element can be shown in songs like "The Conqueror" with its pounding fast double-bass drums. What surprises me more about this band's wide rock/metal spectrum is that last track "Die Hard" is an acoustically driven AOR/Melodic Rock track! Although, just right before i can proclaim it awesome i must point out 2 certain tracks: "The Ritual of Truth" and "Heaven In You" are unfortunately average at best.

Another "flaw" with this album is the weak production. But Andy does get a good job done on "The Day the Earth Died".

"If It Wasn't For You" is one damn good song though and almost makes up for every other "bad" track! It'll have you signing along with the chorus within a few plays.

Very good debut album that i would recommend to anyone who would like to hear new music. But make sure you pick up the latest Masterplan first.

review by (Black Utopia) for www.Power-Metal.co.uk

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  • Great album!
    author: Beth Gatlin

    Outstanding hard rock/metal album, with great guitar work and vocals by Firewind's singer Apollo Papathanasio. My favorite tracks are "Living on the Edge," "Follow Me," and "Heaven in You." Highly recommended!

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