SupaRed - SupaRed


Year of Release: 2003
Label: Noise Records
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 00:00:00

Yes, Supared is Michael Kiske's (ex-Helloween) new band -the ex-vocalist for the most highly renowned power metal band on the planet. And yes, it is terrible.

It's hard not to be extremely harsh with Supared. For starters, this is a pop album that has nothing to do with metal. Despite the fact that Kiske has stated his power metal days are over, we can only judge him -and his band -on his current work and Noise Records' Supared is due shortly to arrive.

This is toe-tapping pop rock in the vain of some nasally UK English rock act ("Can I Know Now?" and "He Pretends") but with trademark Kiske-isms (i.e. you can tell it is him). With the pop elements, it has instantly recognisable (or should that be instantly forgettable?) beats that struggle to find much interest throughout the 14 songs. There are no heavy guitars here with Kiske's vocals doing most of the talking. Simple, yet ineffective, Supared is an album that has some nice songs but, like any good drama (and just listening to this causes intense drama), it has some tragic elements. Unfortunately, it never recovers from the opening niceties that is "Reconsider." And like a recurring tumour, Supared is full of the heartbreak.

If you are a fan of Kiske's voice then there are parts of this album that show some class ("Reconsider," "Let's Be Heroes," "Freak-Away"). The elements shown here are similar to what he sung on Timo Tolkki's solo album Hymn To Life (yes, another musical tragedy) but unfortunately the lame song-writing, the suspect production (thanks again, Michael), and the boring songs show little sustaining power.

For 55 minutes I sat here listening. I tapped my foot on the odd occasion and after the album finished playing I realised how much I hated it. From his earlier 90s works of Instant Clarity ('96) and RTS ('99) the star has gone on a steep decline to set foot in a quagmire or poor performance pop. I think Supared should have amalgamated the titles of Kiske's two previous works culminating in: Instant R(eturn) T(o) S(ender). This sux.

Similar To: A Cardiac Arrest

[This review originally appeared December 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]


Tracklisting:
Turn It (4:09) / Can I Know Now? (4:44) / Let's Be Heroes (4:14) / He Pretends (3:54) / Freak-Away (4:18) / Hey (4:53) / Boilingpoints of No Reburn (3:57) / Ride On (4:57) / Hackneyed (3:32) / That's Why (2:57) / A Bit of Her (4:02) / Overrated (3:31) / Dancers Bug (2:32) / Turn It (3:21)

Musicians:
Michael Kiske - vocals
Sandro Glampietro - guitars
Aldo Harms - bass
Jurgen Speigel - drums

Discography:
SupaRed (2003)

Genre: Melodic Metal

Origin DE

Added: February 20th 2005
Reviewer: Gary Carson

Artist website: www.supared.com
Hits: 2474
Language: english

  

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