Love it
Dr Nick | Sheffield, S Yorks United Kingdom | 07/29/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I haven't taken this CD out of my player since I got it. DC Cooper has a fantastic voice, borrowing from Geoff Tate in a way but certainly a truly individual sound. He goes from a deep growl, to high notes most singers can only dream about, without losing any power. And he can pen a decent tune as well. He apparently was a finalist for the vacant Judas Priest vocal slot, before Tim Owens was discovered (which would have been a waste - he's too good for them), then landed the job with Royal Hunt (Scandinavian neoclassical/melodic group), and now fronts Silent Force. And his relative obscurity just proves there is no justice in this world. The man is a phenomenon.The songs are superb, varying from Melodic Rock to Metal, a couple of power ballads, a good cover of "Easy Livin'", and great guitar-work. DC has got most of Pink Cream 69 (European melodic rock band), plus Tore Ostby (Conception, now with ARK - another awesome band).There is a nice contrast between the PC69 guitarist (trebly and lots of wah, blues based), and Tore (more mid-range sound and flowing style - hints of Yngwie, I think?), who's now with ARK, another fantastic band.I particularly like the interplay between the 2 of them on Freedom.And I love Take Me In, vocals flying in from all over the place during the chorus.GET IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Still one of metal's finest voices
Murat Batmaz | Istanbul, Turkey | 07/16/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After DC Cooper made a name for himself as one of the finest voices in metal, mostly because of his albums with Royal Hunt, he was considered for the vocal spot in Iron Maiden and chosen best vocalist consecutively in Japan's BURRN! magazine. When Royal Hunt took a break from recording after their masterpiece Paradox, DC Cooper decided to put together a new album with highly acclaimed musicians he had befriended during his tours.
He first hooked up with guitarists Tore Ostby from Conception and Alfred Koffler from Pink Cream 69, with whom he sat down to write songs together. When the material was completed, two other Pink Cream 69 members, bassist Dennis Ward and drummer Kosta Zafirious, were brought in along with Vanden Plas' keyboardist Gunter Werno for the recording sessions. Ward and Zafiriou would also produce the record with impressive results. Interestingly enough, the same lineup except Tore Ostby would join forces again for the Missa Mercuria project a few years later. So if you're a fan of the last song on this disc, the Queen-like "The Union", with loads of vocal harmonies, technical and melodic passages, acoustic guitars, different vocalists (there's a great female vocalist guesting here), you should check Missa Mercuria out.
Even though DC Cooper refers to the band that performed and recorded this as The Alliance, they chose to release it as a self-titled DC Cooper disc. Quite different from his work with Royal Hunt and Silent Force, this album sees him exploring hard rock, melodic metal and even progressive metal territories, blending the three genres successfully. From the highly rocking songs "Dream" and "Within Yourself", both under the four-minute mark, displaying DC Cooper's exceptional vocal skills and excellent guitar melodies atop secretly pounding bass figures; to the more ballady "Until the End" where the band employs varied percussion and cello-like synth effects with blues-rock style guitars; to the Uriah Heep cover "Easy Living" that shows DC Cooper is capable of singing in any style whatsoever, this album is perhaps the most diverse record he has ever released.
Standouts include the dark "Angel Comes", featuring an intense interplay between the two guitarists and a terrific synth melody; as well as the proggy "Freedom", which kicks in after Werno's brief solo instrumental "Chained". His playing is speedy and even chaotic and always reminds me of the keys on Pain of Salvation's "A Trace of Blood", but it serves as an excellent piece to build the powerful intro of "Freedom". Great vocals that range from low registers to maniacal screams, shredding guitars, and shifting dynamics, this might be best track on the album. However, equally impressive are "Three Generations" that sees Tore Ostby dabbling in some Egyptian scales and the midtempo rocker "Forgive Me", underpinned by a strong rhythm duo. Dennis Ward's bass is amazing throughout on this disc. Even in the most straightforward cuts, such as the slightly power metallish "Take Me In", defined by lots of double bass drums, his bass presence is immediately noticeable. The aforementioned "Three Generations", for example, is actually a song that has a very dynamic bass line deep down on which the guitars and vocal harmonies are layered.
DC Cooper is one of the most amazing vocalists in metal and even though I feel his work with Royal Hunt will always be superior to his other stuff, I think this solo album is essential to anyone that enjoys the bands mentioned in this review as well as great melodic metal that is also unafraid to border on hard rock and progressive at times."
Debut solo album from one of metal's most electrifying front
Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 01/14/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This 1998 self-titled release is the first solo release from former Royal Hunt (and current Silent Force) frontman D.C. Cooper. I've been a big fan of DC's work since I first heard him on the first Explorers' Club disc (1998's Age of Impact), but this is the disc that put DC at the top of my favorite vocalists list.
This album is a throwback to the late 80's, when melodic metal was king and flashy frontmen got all the attention. In fact, if this disc was released 10 years earlier, DC Cooper would likely have been as big a star as David Coverdale (or at least Mike Tramp). Working with some of the brightest stars of melodic rock and metal, including guitar wizard Tore Ostby (Conception), keyboardist Gunter Werno (Vanden Plas), and Pink Cream 69 bassist/producer Dennis Ward, Cooper has put together an amazing album of melodic hard rock/heavy metal that is impressive from start to finish. It's less progressive and keyboard dominated than Royal Hunt and less like Judas Priest than his work with Silent Force. Picture Under Lock and Key-era Dokken with smarter lyrics, just the right amount of keyboards, and soaring, powerful vocals. The guitar work is almost as impressive as the vocals. Ostby's solo on "Freedom", in particular, is a thing of beauty.
This isn't an easy disc to classify, but it is extremely easy to listen to...over and over again. It has a good mix of heavier songs as well as some really powerful ballads, but all of the songs immediately impact you in a way few albums manage to do these days. Highlights...honestly the whole album qualifies, but my favorite songs are "Freedom", "Union" and "Within Yourself". The cover of the Uriah Heep classic "Easy Livin'" is also a lot of fun.
In the decade since I first purchased it, this album remains my favorite DC Cooper release, and has become one of my all time favorite albums. This is a must-have for fans of DC's work with Royal Hunt and Silent Force, and is also recommended for anyone who enjoys melodic rock and metal. Now, if only DC would get started on a sequel!"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1