ORIZ – Oriz II

Forming in late 2009, this Swedish five piece on their second album “Oriz II” play with an older melodic hard rock sound- evoking images of Deep Purple, Rainbow, and Whitesnake. The keyboards in songs like “Forever Free” and “This Feeling” are more in like with the Labyrinth/Stratovarius power style- giving the arrangements a slightly modern feel. Mattias Eriksson’s vocals are adequate but not outstanding- there’s no bluesy strength to otherwise catchy material like “Captured” and “Broken” and I believe this could affect the long term appeal of Oriz.

Gotthard are so much better, more versatile, and more professional in the singing department and as a result Oriz need to go back to the drawing board or be relegated to the cut out bins.

http://www.myspace.com/orizrocks   
http://www.doolittle.se