Tad Morose was one of the highlights at the Sweden Rock Festival 2003 - amongst Kamelot, Krokus and Anthrax. Their heavy metal is direct, solid and the singer is as good on stage as he is in studio. Within the show, they talk with the crowd ... in Swedish. I was down on my knees because I really though these guys were Americans. Funny ... I remember saying that day these musicians have the talent of Iced Earth. So you can imagine that I was pretty eager to receive their new album, Modus Vivendi.

After a few seconds, I understand something big is about to hit me right in the face. The production is excellent, the sound is huge. Anubis - the first track - puts instantaneously Modus Vivendi's expectations at high levels. What a starter! The tempo reminds me right away Iced Earth, the sound of the guitar is gloomy as hell, the tempo weighty, the singer top-notch, the chorus is "recorded" straight away by the brain. Not the time to take my breath away, the second rocket is launched: No Mercy. This one sounds like a classic US heavy metal track, with a simple but tenacious chorus. Afraid To Die take me back to Black Sabbath with its slow and heavy tempo. The singer is once again enormous, so are the guitar riffs devastating my ears. Waaaaow !

Clearly Insane sees Tad Morose pushing again on the accelerator, walking this time on Primal Fear’s ground - not to say Judas Priest. The chorus is again superb as another arrow hits my heart. I know it sounds like a “cliché”, but without any doubt Modus Vivendi is their best effort so far. Tracks like Cyberdome (again Black Sabbath), Take On The World (Judas Priest), Mother Sphipton's Words (Iced Earth) or Unwelcome Guest (Brainstorm) confirms this band has acquired enough maturity, enough knowledge to enter in the Super Heavy Metal League. I am really impressed by the song-writing, really impressed by the solos, really impressed by the quality of the songs. Last but not least, the cover-art is wonderful.

If you have appreciated their previous work, Matters Of The Dark, you can blindly buy this one. If you still haven’t heard from this Swedish heavy metal band (originally formed in 1991), I invite you to listen to this Modus Vivendi … which stands as one of the best heavy metal release of the year. Honestly, since Epica and Rheingold, I was starting to be a bit famished of a good heavy metal release.

Modus Vivendi lands at the right time :). Jump on it!