Danish/German rockers Miracle Master make their debut with the album "Tattooed Woman", a generous serving of eleven fist-pumping hard rock tracks. Leaning towards a more commercially viable sound (reminiscent of the late 90's and early 2000's hard rock scene), they do occasionally manage to break away from their radio-friendliness with hints of a moodier underbelly.
Storming out of the gate with the upbeat "Come Alive", Miracle Master catches my attention with a kick-ass driving rhythm. But as it reaches the chorus, and despite their energy, the band seems to set the tone for a very "safe" album, and my first reaction is to raise a red flag where formulaic mediocrity is concerned. I give them the benefit of the doubt though. Despite their immediate predictability they are still a thousand times more interesting than any Nickelback drivel I've heard, so I remain optimistic.
I enjoyed the chugging groove of "Stay With Me", and Oliver Weers vocals remind me ever so slightly of Paul Stanley or even David Coverdale when he hits those higher registers. But his natural range sounds much more like Dave Wyndorf. After the first few tracks, Miracle Master stray a little from their safety zone and my optimism pays off. "Why Religion" has early Alice In Chains written all over it, vocally and musically, and I quite liked it. There's a bluesy side to their sound that is most evident in "Highway To Heaven", arguably the best track on the album. It paves the way for "Tear Down The Walls" which is much more pensive and atmospheric than the albums first few tracks.
Miracle Master is a solid act possessing some serious musicianship. Although their songwriting may seem a little common, they do have those moments that inspire the promise of growth. It's those moments that stay with me and keep me hopeful for their next release!
Richard Leggatt, HMS
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