A much stronger album than the debut.
The debut album from Sahara Rain, whilst being an excellent slab of melodic hard rock, had a few problems for me.Most of these problems (which may be too strong a word) were down to the involvement of former Jaded Heart vocalist Michael Bormann. His presence on the album could be felt on nearly every aspect of the recording, production and song writing that occurred on 'Sand In Your Hands' (an album which I did enjoy a lot). This involvement stopped the album from being solelya Sahara Rain record and instead tended to make the album sound just like a Jaded Heart one. That for me made Sahara Rain lose a lot of their own identity as you played the album, which was a shame as on the whole it was a good CD despite these niggles. So when I saw the name of Mr. Bormann once again at the production helm for the new album 'Eternity', I was a little worried (again maybe too strong a word). I shouldn't have been because apart from a co-write on one song and his co-production duties, that this time around is the limit of his influence. This then lets the personalities of the Sahara Rain musicians shine through much more on this release, and makes 'Eternity' a much stronger album than the debut.
OK I will admit that singer Thomas Seeburger does sound a lot like Michael Bormann, but with the band this time writing their own material, most of the Jaded Heart comparisons have gone and I think as good as the debut was, this new album is much better. On tracks like 'Holy War', 'Heavy Times' and the guitar driven 'Love Me Loud' the band show just what they are made of, coming across like a combination of Shakra and Gotthard with lots of AOR melodies thrown into the mix. I know it doesn't sound original and it isn't (but who cares?), the songs are good, the production strong and the musicianship classy, so I'm really not that bothered about the originality issue. With a set of songs as strong as the ones found on 'Eternity' it is those who listen to good rock music that are the winners.
Looking for your hard rock fix ? Then 'Eternity' could be just what the doctor ordered. A very good sophomore release and one that should put Sahara Rain on the map,
Ian Johnson
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