Jorn Lande and Trond Holter “Dracula. Swing of Death”

Country: Norway
Genre(s): Rock opera, AOR, Hard Rock, Prog Related
Label: Frontiers Music Srl
Format: CD, digital
Release date:  January 23, 2015 (EU), January 27, 2015 (NA)
Tracklist: 

1. Hands of Your God - 3:38
2. Walking on Water - 5:43
3. Swing of Death - 4:37
4. Masquerade Ball - 3:34
5. Save Me - 4:19
6. River of Tears - 4:50
7. Queen of the Dead - 6:12
8. Into the Dark - 3:33
9. True Love Through Blood (Instrumental) - 3:57
10. Under the Gun - 5:08

Line-up: 
Jorn Lande: Lead Vocals
Trond Holter: Guitars, Piano
Bernt Jansen: Bass
Per Morten Bergseth: Drums
Lena Fløitmoen: Lead Vocals (5, 6, 8, 10), Background Vocals (3, 5, 6, 8, 10)

Description/Reviews: 

This exciting concept album was inspired by the life of Count Vlad the III, Prince of Wallachia, widely known as Vlad, The Impaler or by his patronymic name Vlad Dracul(a). The whole story explores the inner struggle inside the multifaceted and engorging character that this mysterious 15th Century personality was, while also taking into account some of the metaphysical aspects that passed into literature, forming the whole basis of the vampire mythos.
The drama of the story reveals Dracula’s inner battle, where he still remembers what true love was, and as he wandered the Earth for centuries with a thirst for blood, his loneliness and desire to be able to love again has led him to the brink of insanity. In the original Bram Stoker version, he leaves Transylvania by ship and when he meets Lucy's best friend, she reminds him so much of his first love Mina, that he becomes obsessed. His mission is to take her as his bride, and make her Queen of the dark.
Musically, “Swing of Death” is not like a typical rock opera or musical, since it has no storyteller or too many long instrumental parts and intros. It is an album that gets to the point with no detours and even if it exposes some diverse musical landscapes, it does include catchy and melodic songs with commercial radio potential. Vocally this release gives you everything from Jorn Lande’s past extensive catalogue all in one album. Jorn’s ability to be innovative and original while at the same time showing where his roots came from, is truly unique.
Jorn and Trond’s musical influence when creating this epic masterpiece came mostly from 70’s era Meat Loaf, Queen, Alice Cooper, plus some other Classic and more contemporary Hard Rock elements. All mixed together with their own modern musical heavy rock style, Dracula “Swing of death” is something extraordinary. The lyrics are not limited to the old days of Bram Stoker’s era and could easily be a Dracula story of today. 

Media/Samples 
Trailer

Links:
Web page (Jorn Lande)
Facebook (Trond Holter)
Facebook (Jorn Lande)
Proggnosis (Jorn Lande)