I know that it is a shame but I have to admit it; this promo CD drew my attention while I was shooting a glance at the band's biography and read the moniker CANDLEMASS beside a familiar name. Indeed, it was Johan Langquist's name that immediately drove me down to memory where I found the legendary debut of the Swedish Doom leading band entitled "Epicus Doomicus Metallicus". What I was expecting to listen? I wasn't sure since I was not aware of Johan's whereabouts after that impressive and historical release.

Having the Doom Metal band in mind I hit the play button and made acquaintance with the opening track "Fly Away". This track starts with acoustic guitar melodies, some cello sounds and some impressively warm and powerful female vocals. "What a strange way to open a Metal album". But man how wrong I was! "Expressions" has nothing to do with the Metal genre. It is closer to the melodic Rock territory with distinct American references that -yes- challenge you to have a listen. The guitar are distorted with a Southern Rock feeling and are present in this fruitful collection of songs that also feature different guest appearances. The sound production shines in every level; it balances in perfect harmony all the different flavors from the blues guitar licks to the foot-tapping rhythms and excellent vocal lines.

IMPULSIA chose to cover Eric Clapton's "Layla" that pretty much defines the band's musical boundaries spanning from blues and reach the Southern American Hard Rock aesthetics. Among the guest appearance there is the US singer Robin Beck who lends her wonderful vocals in "Fly Away", "Alone" and "Seas To Cross". Especially, in "Alone" and "Seas To Cross" Robin gives a breathtaking performance that I bet will challenge many listeners not to fall in love with her expressional vocals. Johan does his part behind the vocals but I warn you that his vocal work has little to do with that on the "Epicus..." album but this does not mean he is doing bad. On the contrary, his timbre fit perfectly the Hard Rock sound and will travel you in a smoke filled bar listening to this Southern tunes.

So, if Rock is your thing then IMPULSIA will impress you but if you just read the CANDLEMASS name thought differently then please move on.

P.S.: This is Marcel Jacob's last studio recording...
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