Everyone’s favourite metal youtube guitarist and shred-monster Ola Englund has now decided to release a solo album. From a man who has spent most of his career playing in death metal bands, Six Feet Under and The Haunted to name a couple, you would expect the album to be awash with super-speed shredding guitars and no clean sections in sight. However, you would be mistaken…
Opening track “Pizza Hawaii” is arguably quite a metal track but oozes groove and feel as opposed to sweeping up and down the fret-board at mach 10. Sure there are some parts where the “shred” does appear but given the album is entirely instrumental, there needs to be to fill in the gap in the spectrum normally taken by vocals. Following track “Cerberus” continues the trend with some parts that make you want to bang your head and others that inspire you to pet kittens.
The mammoths that are “Solar Part 1” and “Solar Part 2” in my opinion are the best tracks on the album with each of them painting a picture through music. Pianos, acoustic guitars, driving drums, riffing and smooth jazz saxophone parts are just some of the fantastic things you’ll find in these tracks. And unlike in some songs by other bands, the sax parts really work and add the perfect cherry atop the musical cake.
Ending the album, “Slutet på Skivan” takes elements introduced in the previous songs and takes them into overdrive. The section where the piano and guitars take on almost a call and response rhythm is a personal highlight and showcases a side to Ola which some may not know existed.
Despite Ola having made a name for himself in the metal and youtube scenes, this album does not feel like something he wouldn’t make. The album is incredibly well-written with nothing sounding at all out of place, and the mix in particular sounding superb. Whilst I was initially unsure of what to expect from it, I have to say I’ve been pleasantly surprised by just how good and varied the album is.
In short, Master of the Universe is an album which begs to be listened to in full and features all the goodness of metal with some extra little fun tidbits thrown in good measure. I heartily look forward to hearing more music in this vein from Ola in the future.
Ola Englund: official | facebook | youtube
