Angelica

ANGELICA [SE] - AOR
Angelica Maria Estelle Rylin

Thrive

Frontiers, 2013
Produced by Daniel Flores
Cover by Nello Dell’Omo
Ratings: HH: 84 (11) | RYM: 3.32 (20)
Total rating: 752
Updated: 150910

Line-up

Angelica Rylin (lv, bv)
Per Bergquist (g)
Johan Niemann (b)
Daniel Flores (d, k, bv)
+
Anders Wigelius (bv)
Jesper Strömblad (g on tr. 2)
Magnus Karlsson (g on tr. 1)
Mats Lindfors (g on tr. 4 5)
Matt Guillory (g on tr. 2

Track listing

Songwriters

ADV = Alessandro Del Vecchio
AR = Angelica Rylin
AW = Anders Wigelius
BL = Boe Larsen
DF = Daniel Flores
EM = Erik Mjörnell
EW = Erik Wigelius
H = Hitmanic
HH = Harry Hess
JS = Jakob Svensson
LE = Lars Edvall
MF = Marcus Frenell
MR = Mattias Reimer
MWJ = Marcus Winther-John
RS = Robert Säll

Rock Report review

The Angelica we're speaking of is the Swede Angelica Rylin, known from symphonic metal band The Murder Of My Sweet. With "Thrive" though, this female vocalist is offering us something totally different. It was a childhood dream of hers to record an AOR album in the vein of Robin Beck, Heart and Romeo's Daughter and with the assistance of partner in crime Daniel Flores, she succeeded in doing so. A good album begins with good songs and I have to admit: with assistance from such luminaries as Harry Hess, Daniel Flores, Anders & Erik Wigelius, Robert Säll, Mattias Reimer, Lars Edvall, Alessandro Del Vecchio and others, nothing could go wrong in this department. Important to mention is that Angelica herself wrote or co-wrote several of the songs, showing and proving her versatility as an artist. Several guests were invited for the solos, such as keyboarder Matt Guillory (James LaBrie) and the guitarists Per Bergquist (Smashed Into Pieces), Jesper Stromblad (In Flames), Magnus Karlsson (Primal Fear) and Mats Lindfors. But the star of the album is of course Angelica, who proves that she can handle AOR as easily as symphonic metal. I like female rockers and Angelica has enough in store (no pun intended) to be added to the list of recommended female vocalists. "This being my first solo record, I now have the chance to show you another side of me. This is the next chapter and I hope you'll follow", concludes Angelica. I for one certainly will and tracks like opener "Breaking My Heart", "Nothing Else You Can Break", "This Kiss Is Just For You" and "Take Me To Your Heart" are like candy for my ears. Let's hope this is the start of an interesting solo career.
Chris Lambert, December 2013

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