Humanimal - Humanimal
Z Records
Melodic Hard Rock
10 songs (42'25)
Release year: 2002
Z Records
Reviewed by Mike
Album of the month

Being a fan of vocalist Jeff Scott Soto’s numerous works (Yngwie, Axel Rudi Pell, Rock Star Soundtrack), I was anxious to hear this new album. I am not disappointed in the least! Although I have not heard any Talisman albums, I am now very anxious to discover this band as Humanimal is made up by three members of Talisman, including Soto. What we have here is an outstanding slab of in your face, very melodic European hard rock with superb production.

There is not a single weak track on this album. From beginning to end, this album will provide the listener with emotional and energetic vocals, courtesy of Mr. Soto, surprisingly intricate guitar work, nearly perfect harmony vocals, numerous hooks, and masterful production. Guitarist Pontus Norgren shreds in the background throughout the entire album, and like I said earlier compliments each song on the album with intricate solos that sound very much like a faster Andy Timmons (ex-Danger Danger). The harmony vocals put an exclamation mark on the hooks, and are quite memorable. Unlike some other European hard rock outfits such as Bonfire and Fair Warning, the hooks are not nearly as “sweet” as these bands can be at times. This is a much harder, in-your-face guitar driven album. Continuing on that note, there is not a single ballad on this disc which is very unlike other Euro hard rock bands such as Bonfire and Fair Warning. Thus, the high energy level is maintained throughout the entire album. Jeff Scott Soto turns in an emotional, yet fired up vocal effort which only adds to the intensity of these songs. In fact, of the aforementioned projects he has been involved with, Humanimal is surely my favorite album in terms of Soto’s vocals. I’m sure the top notch production only helps too. This band enjoys what they do, and it shows. Pontus lets his guitar “sing” for him with his wonderful shredding and solo work, Soto sings with emotion and fire on this album that I believe to be unmatched by his prior work (of course I will need to check out Talisman to completely verify this), and the rhythm section marches along to provide a steady backbone for the sound. The musicianship meshes together perfectly and is very well produced without being over polished.

Fans of melodic hard rock and/or Jeff Scott Soto cannot go wrong with this album. The big harmony vocals, masterful guitar work of Pontus Norgren, and Jeff Scott Soto’s career performance are the highlights of this killer disc. A very well balanced album with no weak areas or filler tracks and an energy level on high from start to finish.

Killing Songs :
R U 4 Real, Again to be Found, Road to Forgiveness, Way 2 Deep
Mike quoted 91 / 100
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