REVIEW: FAST TRAIN UNION – II

 

FAST TRAIN UNION – II

Independent

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I must confess, I know very little about this band beyond their music and their album "II." I’ve never made an effort to delve deeper into their history. It’s not that I’m indifferent to them; rather, their music is so exceptional that it satisfies all my needs as a listener. The band adds to their mystique by providing no background information in their CD release, a mystery I find quite appealing.

For this presentation, however, I decided to dig a little deeper. These talented musicians hail from Canada. The lineup consists of John Wetherilt on lead guitar and backing vocals, Paul DeMarinis on drums, Al Perrier on bass and backing vocals, and Sean Potvin as the lead vocalist. They are seasoned performers who have opened for renowned acts such as EXCITER, ALIAS, TROOPER, BLUE RODEO, and RIK EMMETT of TRIUMPH.

The essence of this band, as I’ve mentioned, lies in their music. Their distinctive sound is a fusion of 70s and early 80s hard rock and heavy metal. They draw inspiration from bands like THIN LIZZY, early JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, KISS, and LYNYRD SKYNYRD. What sets them apart is their ability to blend these influences into a cohesive and original album.

From the moment I first listened to their release, I was captivated. This isn’t an album where you can just listen to a couple of tracks and be done; it demands to be played from start to finish. It has a magical hold on me that’s hard to explain. The album commands my full attention with its variety, sense of melody, and robust hard rock and heavy metal sound.

As I conclude this presentation, I realize it’s challenging to articulate the depth of feelings and emotions this album evokes in me. This difficulty arises because, above all, we are discussing a top-quality, emotionally charged album. While it might sound nostalgic, it is also brimming with fresh ideas and genuine passion for hard rock and heavy metal.

This is one of the finest hard rock/heavy metal releases you definitely need to check out.

Νικόλαος Παραστατίδης