I memorize Evidence One attracting my serious interest with their debut release, Criticize The Truth, back in 2002. It is not that easy in our days to discover the band that will satisfy your thin-red-line requirements for melody-meets-heaviness music, the way Pretty Maids or Dokken successfully were doing in their good ol' days. Well, curiosity may killed the fuckin' cat but also filled my ears with an effort making me not wanting to pull the CD away in the near future. And, just think that I don't really like CDs... Brrr...
Evidence One are fronted by Domain vocalist Carsten Schulz and also comprise the Frontline pairing of guitarist Robby Boebel (ex-Talon) and bassist Thomas Bauer. Releasing the debut Criticize The Truth album, Evidence One toured Europe as the support act to British legends Saxon, enlisting extra touring personnel second guitarist Wolfgang Schimmi Schimmer and Frontline drummer Rami Ali. Nothing more permanent than the casual one, so Schimmer and Ali joined the camp. Yet, the major to-date step by the band was when they signed to the Nuclear Blast label, having the correct background to start working for their debut's follow-up. And this upgrade is clearly seen here.
Evidence One play that kind of music that crosses Northern Europe Melodic Metal - in the vain of Pretty Maids, Madison and Bonfire - and U.S. heavy-riffed Hard Rock - in the likes of Dokken, Joshua with a taste of late Leatherwolf. A fine balance of mid-tempo strong guitar chords and superbly dominating heavy keyboard work, Tattooed Heart seems - in my ears, at last - to be in a greater level than the band's debut. The band has obviously taken advantage of all the possible benefits a Metal band can gain from a premier label like Nuclear Blast, resulting in a great stiff production that elevates all of the band's advantages. Excellent cooperation among the band's members, high-quality melodic yet heavy music with scattered oriental or progressive elements softly fitting in, a passionate voice from Carsten Schulz who's pitch resembles one time to Goran Edman, the next time to Don Doken and is overall covered by David Coverdale's patronage. I could not find any weak point throughout the whole album, and that's the whole plus: Evidence One play really interesting Heavy Metal music - and it IS Heavy Metal - appropriate for both the melodic Hard Rock fan and the average Metal maniac.
Hopefully, Tattooed Heart will win better fame than its predecessor. For everyone already familiar with Criticize The Truth here is a great gift, a large Next Step. Furthermore, Evidence One should draw the attention of every Hard Rock/Metal fan who respects his musical taste. Is it that extreme to forecast a more successful future? Well, you (we) should give a helping hand, too!!!
- Album Highlights: The whole album