CD REVIEW: KENS DOJO - REINCARNATION

Thursday, 02 September 2010 21:47 |

Written by Raymond Coonen |

BAND: KENS DOJO

ALBUM: REINCARNATION

LABEL: AOR HEAVEN

RELEASE DATE: 27-AUG-2010 RATING 81 /100

GENRE: MELODIC ROCK

PRODUCER: KEN INGWERSEN

WEBSITE: http://www.kensdojo.com/

MYSPACE PAGE: http://www.myspace.com/keningwersen

REVIEWER: RAYMOND "EVERYBODY LOVES RAY" COONEN

Well it’s been a while since my last review but here we are again. When I received a few days ago the promo from Kens Dojo first thing I thought was “that’s a strange name to call your band”. Don’t you think so? It made me curious how this album would sound....

Ken’s Dojo is a solo project of Norway’s gifted guitar player, producer and songwriter Ken Ingwersen. Who? …well it’s a big name in Norway. He worked for and with Glen Hughes, TNT, Rick Springfield, Wig Wam and many more. But maybe you recognize him as guitarist of legendary Uriah Heep. He joined the band in 2000 and is a permanent member since.

So now Ken thought that the time is right to release a solo record. Not only guitar work which he found too boring. And the man is right! "Reincarnation" starts with a little bit David Coverdale (at the top of his carreer) sounding track called "Forever". This track is a modern, fresh rock song… great opener. The second track "Keeping The Flame Alive" is even better. It starts with a dramatic 911-call and evolves into a song what Queensryche could have recorded during their "Operation Mindcrime", "Empire" period. With audio snips and even scratching in it. These things make "Keeping The Flame Alive" a really cool track! The vocals by Nils K. Rue from the band Pagan’s Mind sounds just like Geoff Tate!

Glenn Hughes did his vocals like only he can on the, with a nicely added string section, 70´s rock ballad "I Surrender". This isn’t the only ballad on the album. The second ballad (not completely a ballad) is "Set This Angel Free". And last but not least the acoustic song "Rain".

The title track "Reincarnation" has a very special guest on the vocals… Chesney Hawkes!!! Chesney Hawkes!!! Yes, the one and only. The boy (okay, now a man) isn’t dead. He is alive and kicking and his voice is made for this funky pop with a little R&B influence song.

21 Guns frontman Tommy La Verdi rocks on "Demon In Diamonds" a classic heavy rhythm song (like Winger on "Pull"). A tip... Play it loud! A thing what can be said about the whole album. The song "Come Alive" screams to be played alive.

Ken lets his guitar speak on the brilliant instrumental song "Momentos A Solas". If you ever thought about making your own compilation with melodic instrumental songs… this one must be added for sure! Ken's guitar really burns on the last track called "Soundtrack Bonanza" …waaaaah, what a kick-ass heavy track.

All songs on "Reincarnation" getting better every time you listen to them… it is really a grower. The guests, the songs, the production and don’t forget the guitar solos are from a very high level. Don’t be fooled by the goofy name… it’s after all a project. There are stranger names going 'round in this world...