HARTMANN

The fourth full-length album by the German Melodic Hard Rock/AOR band.
The Hartmann records are full of tasty but quite slow paced AOR or even Classic Rock songs, very different from our every day galloping Epic Power Metal or Neo-Classic Metal. For the fourth album, it's once again the same case, but the voice of Hartmannis also much more in the forefront and he sounds more powerful than in the previous CDs, much more like his Genius or Eempty Tremors (Oliver Hartmann's past bands) days. Anyway, the third album was disappointing; this "Balance" is his best solo album. The title fits quite well with the musical concept. Indeed well balanced. The band Hartmann plays like a real band, and the chemistry-team here isn’t fake, the sincerity is obvious and pretty clear as the sound of this album is organic and spontaneous. The production and the mix are in the same juicy manner with a full spectrum, thanks to Sascha Paeth’s magic.
The very Zen and confined ambiance of numbers like “From a Star” or “Fall From Grace” is opposed to some more hot rocking tracks but still with a feeling of maturity and an absolute melodic control sensation.
Best tracks are "Like A River", "Fool for You", "After the Love Has Gone" or "Save Me". Others great songs: "You Are the One", "The Best Is Yet To Come" or "All My Life" that are more direct but still entertaining.
The word AOR could divert some, but here you can read Adult Oriented Rock with a big "A", no cheesy chorus with cheap bontempi keyboards in calibrated 3 minutes tracks, but a real Classic Melodic Hard Rock in the best way of the word, with some contemporary touch.
Avenue Of Allies Music, 2012 (Avenue 12 04 0042). Used: very good.


Tracklist:
1. All My Life 3:56
2. Like A River 4:06
3. You Are The One 3:53
4. Fool For You 4:07
5. After The Love Is Gone 5:27
6. Save Me 4:59
7. Fall From Grace 5:09
8. From A Star 4:54
9. Dance On The Wire 4:25
10. Shout 5:35
11. Time To Face The Truth 3:11
12. The Best Is Yet To Come 5:04
Total playing time: 54:46

Second full-length album by the German Hard Rock guitarist/vocalist Oliver Hartmann.
German rock singer Oliver Hartmann delivered one of the surprise packages of 2005, with a thoroughly enjoyable album of powerful and emotional Melodic Hard Rock.
"Home" and it's another great Hard Rocking collection of music showcasing his emotional and powerful vocal style. Delivered with a passion and raw emotional edge, band still manages to be very consistent and of unquestionably high standards. The album sounds awesome with great performances by everyone especially the rocking guitars and solos. The production is excellent and sounds huge coming out of a good set of speakers. Hartmann's voice is very smooth yet dramatic and is very similar in tone to Eric Martin from Mr Big.
Highlights include the melodic rocker "Coming Home To You", the heavy and groovy "Higher Than Me" with a killer guitar solo, the chorus hook of the epic ballad "I Don't Want To Know", and the heartfelt sentiment of "My Everything" which is a very memorable power ballad.
"Home" is another strong release from Hartmann. It was always going to be hard to match the sensational debut, especially when so much emotion was poured into that. But this comes close. It isn't helped by a questionable song running order, but the consistency in songwriting and strong performances still make it an album very worth checking out!!
Avenue Of Allies Music, 2007/2012 (Avenue 12 03 0041). Made in Germany. Pressed in Poland. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Coming Home To You 4:13 
2. The Sun's Still Rising 4:29 
3. My Everything 3:20 
4. Somewhere Someday 4:45 
5. Just For You 4:02 
6. I Don't Want To Know 4:29 
7. Higher Than Me 6:19 
8. Why Do I 4:14 
9. Millionaire 3:23 
10. Crying 5:03 
11. Lay All Your Love On Me 3:45 
12. It's All Right 4:50
Total playing time: 52:52