ORIZ - II (2011)

Sweden band ORIZ is the project of guitarist Alexander Oriz, which is releasing their second album simply entitled "II".
Producer/musician from Huskvarna, Alexander Oriz has been involved in various musical projects, playing in some different bands sharing stage with Eye, Paul Dianno, White Lion, Thunderbolt, etc.
As part of hard rockers Sanchez he recorded on the album 'Nightride' in 2009, but soon left the group to found his own band, releasing the debut 'Oriz' the next year.


Coming from a guitarist, you would expect that "Oriz II" is guitar oriented album. Oriz certainly shows off his skills with good solos and riffs, however, the odd thing here is the use of quirky keyboard parts, with a curious sound and arrangements.
Many songs, including the rockers "Forever Free", "Put Out the Flame" and "This Feeling" to name a few, have these unusual keyboards in a persistent presence.
You like it or not, but they are original for sure.
Otherwise, as mentioned, on the whole the music is interesting and entertaining, and there's a little bit everything.
A heavier song like the hard rock "Desert Rider", or for catchy hooks, "Captured" and "Forever Free". Then a song like "Living", while generally interesting, seems to lumber along.
Perhaps one the most pleasing song is the instrumental "A Glimpse of Light and Denial", where Oriz stretches much more on his guitar solos.


"Oriz II" is an interesting album of melodic hard rock tunes, with a more than obvious nod to the early Eighties.
Well written and produced, the songs are effective for the most part, and there's a real challenge with the keyboard work / sound. Not virtuously but sonically. It is up to you whether or not to accept this particular approach.
Intriguing.


1. Forever Free
2. Desert Rider
3. Put Out The Flame
4. This Feeling
5. Captured
6. Your Lies
7. Broken
8. The Cage
9. Glimpse Of Light And Denial
10. Living


Mattias Eriksson: vocals
Alexander Oriz: guitars
David Mauritzon: guitars
Christopher Davidsson: bass
Emil Eriksson: drums





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www.amazon.com/ll-Oriz/dp/B005THRT62