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PolarisRadio - Album Review: Legend of the Broken Claw

21 Sep 2022 // A review by Kev Rowland

I was not too sure what to expect from PolarisRadio, which is the pseudonym for Dean Moroney, but I am pretty sure this wasn’t it! Dean’s music is normally described as Synthwave, and in some respects that still fits as here we have an instrumental album which appears to be based on a video game, yet while there are some tracks (such as Sea of Stars) which are solidly sat within that genre, there are plenty of others which do not. If ever there was an album which was fusing together Synthwave with Rammstein and prog metal, then this must be it. It is done so well that everything flows together, and it is only as the music swirls and changes that one realises that it is moving from one genre to another as it is done so very well indeed.

There are no boundaries here, no limits, so we have plenty of riffing guitar combining with dance and dated synths, yet at times it is also incredibly Teutonic and while there are plenty of elements in here reminiscent of Written By Wolves one can also hear elements of the likes of Threshold and Galahad, especially the latter’s dance spinoff Galahad Electric Company. There is a vitality and power which is often missing from one-man acts – this is not something which is laid back and gentle but rather it is something which could be cranked out on dance floors and would also not sound out of place in rock stadia, such is its cross-genre appeal. There is real bite here as Dean does not meander around but instead goes for the jugular ensuring that when played at the correct volume this shakes the speakers and everything around it.

Listening to the introduction of Poisoned Chalice with the creaking rigging and then the dynamic repeated keyboard melody one could easily imagine this morphing into a prog metal blaster, and while he somehow manages to keep it restrained there is no doubt there is brutality just waiting to break through. This is an album which will appeal to the open-minded fans of different genres, although there may be some who listen to prog metal who will say this is too dance-driven while those into dance may say there are too many guitars, but for those of us who listen to good music no matter the genre then this is a delight throughout. Here we have an artist going where the music leads him, and is all the better for that. Incredibly powerful, this is something else...

Rating: ( 4 / 5 )
 

About PolarisRadio

PolarisRadio produces a blend of instrumental rock and pounding dance beats, with a healthy dose of soaring synthesisers reminiscent of 1980's era movie soundtracks and synthpop anthems.

PolarisRadio’s live shows are a mix of loud guitar, synths and drum triggers, guided by DJ style dance sequences which allow him to seamlessly transition between instruments and tracks with the intention of delivering a hefty dose of energetic dance-rock.

In addition, aesthetics are a notable part of the retro-infused music he produces. PolarisRadio considers a strong visual presence to be vital to his performances, stemming from his background in graphic design and motion graphics. As such, he compliments his music and performances with bright and eye catching imagery, in addition to creating his own album artwork and other media.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for PolarisRadio

Releases

Classic
Year: 2023
Type: Album
Legend of The Broken Claw
Year: 2022
Type: Album
Infinity Mirror
Year: 2021
Type: EP
Deadline
Year: 2020
Type: Album
Virtual Paradise
Year: 2019
Type: Album
Labyrinthine
Year: 2019
Type: EP
Breakneck City
Year: 2017
Type: Album
4909: Infinity
Year: 2017
Type: Album

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