Swedish Hitz Goes Metal - Swedish Hitz Goes Metal
Abba are the universal music source in our house. When my wife and I, plus the two girls are in the car and we have all had enough of listening to the girls choice of Bruno Mars or JLS, inevitably Abba gets put on. I have seen the movie and I have been to see the stage play of Mamma Mia, so it fair to say that maybe I’m a bit of a closet Abba fan.
With a few exceptions, the family generally ignore the music I’m reviewing. My eldest daughter, who has just discovered the art of instant opinions declared this album waste of time - why not listen to Abba instead of some blokes messing up the songs. My wife’s initial interest waned when she realised that the title of the album’s title was Swedish Hitz and not Abba’s. Hitz. More about the other famous Swedish people later, for now let’s discuss Abba.
I have to admit that I haven’t heard the Black Sweden album, against which some of you might be judging this. For me, metalised versions of Abba songs seem like a good idea and this album does a good job of creating symphonic metal versions. I would have preferred a version of S.O.S rather than a power ballad version of "The Winner Takes It All", but I guess Abba’s back catalogue is big enough for there always to arguments about the song choices.
Of course, it is not all about Abba. Not quite in the same league are Ace of Base. The covers of these tracks don’t seem to work quite as well as the Abba ones. I think the problem is the that the song structure, with the constant repeating of a chorus over and over, just doesn’t sit well in the metal format. Still, it is interesting hear their couple of hits rocked up.
The third band whose material gets the metal treatment is Roxette. Roxette’s tracks are sort of melodic rock friendly already. Often when listening to their albums, I wish that the band would rock out a little more. Tommy ReinXeed has made my wish come true. These tracks work well and the only problem I have is that I think some of these are a little too close to the originals and I just wish the band rocked out a little more.
This is one of those albums where rock fans are going to be divided. For some it is a bit of fun and they will enjoy it. For others, it will be pointless and just a really bad idea. You have will have to make up your own mind, but I’m in the ‘enjoy the fun’ camp.