Kiske / Somerville

Kiske (Artist), Somerville (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 4, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Frontiers Records
• ASIN: B003XD7ECI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,490 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Deluxe CD/DVD edition. 2010 release, a collaboration between Metal vocalist Michael Kiske (Helloween, Place Vendome) and American singer Amanda Somerville. Eighteen months in the making, a massive production, two videoclips and one documentary later, The Kiske-Somerville collaboration album has all the trademarks of a real Rock event in 2010. The collaboration was born as a concept put together thanks to the input of Frontiers Records President Serafino Perugino. This exciting album sees Mat Sinner (Primal Fear, Sinner) and Magnus Karlsson (Starbreaker, Primal Fear) handling most of the songwriting (with more contributions from Sander Gommans formerly of After Forever and Amanda Somerville herself), with Sinner overseeing the production and mix at various recording studios in Europe.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A match made in melodic rock heaven, October 13, 2010

By 

Justin Gaines (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Kiske / Somerville (MP3 Download)

Here's another great ensemble album put together by the melodic rock geniuses at Frontiers Records. Former Helloween (and current Place Vendome/Unisonic) vocalist Michael Kiske is paired with Amanda Somerville, who has worked with bands like Epica and After Forever. The duo is joined by bassist Mat Sinner (Primal Fear, Sinner) and guitarist Magnus Karlsson (Primal Fear, Starbreaker), both of whom handled most of the songwriting on this album.

The album has a bit more punch than Kiske's recent Place Vendome work, but is still a bit lighter than the average Karlsson/Sinner release. It's just a really well put-together melodic rock album in terms of songwriting and musicianship. Oh yeah, it has great vocals too! I never would have guessed from albums like Keeper of the Seven Keys Parts I-II that Michael Kiske would become such a smooth AOR vocalist, but he really shines here, rivaling his best Place Vendome work. Amanda Somerville is also outstanding. She has great power and range, and wisely opts not to go the operatic route. I'd be surprised if she doesn't end up fronting a new band before too long.

If you're a fan of Kiske's post-Helloween work, particularly his Place Vendome albums, you'll definitely want to hear this album. It should also appeal to After Forever and Epica fans, as long as you aren't expecting a metal album. It's just a really good melodic rock album with some very impressive vocal performances.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great album, October 25, 2010

By 

Derick - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kiske / Somerville (MP3 Download)

This is the first time I've felt compelled to write a review. I just feel that this album deserves a lot more exposure than it might be seeing.

As the name might imply, this is an album of duets by two amazing singers. As such, you expect the vocals to be great, and they are. What I find even more amazing though, is the band. I expected the music behind the singers to be somewhat bland, but that isn't the case. The band does not take a back seat to the two singers, they are there to play, and play hard.

All in all, its a great album to listen in every facet.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely a classic to be! - Bringing together the best of the best in melodic metal., October 27, 2010

By 

Nikiforos V. Skoumas (Athens Greece, Cambridge UK) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Kiske / Somerville (Audio CD)

`Frontiers records' has come up with some rather original ideas for melodic albums but this one is really genius. `Kiske - Sommerville', as the title suggests and most are already aware, is a melodic hard rock/metal album based on vocals duets of legendary German vocalist Michael Kiske and female vocal authority Amanda Somerville.

I suppose there is not much reason to go into details regarding the abilities and approaches of the two singers as they are both metal idols at their own right while their contribution on this album has been very much explored by other reviewers.With that in mind I would like to stand on the other factors (beyond Michael and Amanda) that make this album such a musical success and for that matter are just as important as the names on the front cover.

A key success factor was bringing to the project possibly the most capable songwriting core of `Frontiers records' that of bassist Mat Sinner and guitarist Magnus Karlsson. Both have been known for delivering amazing melodic works in the genres of melodic AOR, hard rock and metal; and the collaboration of the seasoned Mat with the younger Magnus ideally balances old school and modern influences on the album. The album features additional songwriting by Keyboard player Jimmy Kresic and Amanda, the material they come up with is more mid tempo and symphonic/orchestra-oriented. So closing the songwriting part, the listener does enjoy a variety of rock and metal styles throughout `Kiske/Somerville' while all songs are consistent in big melodies and stellar production.

In terms of performing line-up the project finds Matt Sinner on bass guitar, Magnus Karlsson on lead guitar, Sander Gommans also on lead guitar, Jimmy Kresic on keyboards while drum duties are divided between Ramy Ali and Martin Schmidt.
Instrument-wise this project continues to surprise as Sinner's bass is louder and more aggressive than one would expect, Magnus' solos are instantly recognizable and never compromised in their length, while the drumming is far more intense than anyone would have anticipated, referring not only to the double bass attack but to the very technical stick work that is to be found throughout the album.

Yes, "Kiske-Somerville" does capture the best of Michael Kiske and Amanda Somerville still it goes on to offer the listener much more that simply an all star project. It is impossible to find any fault on this album:
1)The concept is original 2) The songwriting is diverse yet consistently melodic 3) the singers live up to their reputation while uncovering much more of their vocal abilities than expected 4) the performance on instruments unforgettable and 5) it is all topped by possibly the greatest production ever.

The limited edition features a 12th bonus track `Set Afire' and a DVD with the two breathtaking promo videos for `If I had a wish' and `Silence'.