Slave
Spiritual Beast Records/Fishing Dog Records, BRC-001, Japan,2007 /Sweden,2006
Release date: April 18th 2007 / July 17th 2006 (S)
Produced by Johan Gren, Martin Johansson & Twinball at Fast Forward Studio, Sala, Sweden
Engineered by Johan Gren & Martin Johansson
Mixed by Johan Gren, Martin Johansson & Twinball
Mastered by Peter In de Betou, Tailor Maid Production
1. Freak Of Nature
2. Never Alive
3. Heroes
4. Slave
5. Rain
6. Puppets
7. Faces
8. Mockingbird
9. Burn
10. Sorrow
11. Blind My Eyes
12. Promises (Japan bonus track)
Remnants Of A Broken Soul
Sweden Rock Records, SRR-003, Sweden, 2002
Release date: Nov 25th 2002
Produced by P-O Saether and Twinball at Studio Underground, Vasteras, Sweden
Engineered by P-O Saether and Lars Lindén
Mixed by P-O Saether
Mastered by t b a
1. Twinball mp3
2. Ruler of the spinning world mp3
3. Times of destiny mp3
4. Don’t pay the ferryman mp3
5. Tears of guilt mp3
6. My bleeding evil mp3
7. Broken soul mp3
8. We are alone mp3
9. Inner light mp3
10. Know your enemy mp3
11. Reach down mp3
Some Reviews
Twinball, Remnants Of A Broken Soul, Sweden Rock Records, SRR-003, Sweden, 2002
Twinball is a band from Sweden consisting of Daniel Samuelsson (lead vocals), Lollo Skollermark (lead & rhythm guitars), Eke Pettersson (drums), T Park (lead & rhythm guitars) and Adde Psilander (bass & backing vocals). They actually started out as a cover band under the name Bad Reputation and as the name suggests their repertoire consisted of a lot of Thin Lizzy material.
Somewhere down the line they decided to have a go at writing their own original material and “Remnants Of A Broken Soul” is their debut CD. Sure enough, there is a Thin Lizzy influence on this CD, especially in some of the guitar work where they display some harmony guitar work in the tradition of Thin Lizzy’s trademark sound all those years ago. However, Twinball are no Thin Lizzy clones, and they have come up with a contemporary heavy rock sound with a lot of influences of classic hard rock. There are three guest guitarists on the CD. They are Robin George (*), best known for his solo work as well as some collaborations with Phil Lynott, plus Dave Hlubek and Jay Johnson (**) both of Southern Rock Allstars.
They have thrown in a surprise cover of Chris DeBurgh’s “Don’t Pay The Ferryman” where they have given it a heavier direction and some of the passages on this version reminds me of the classic Thin Lizzy track “Renegade”. It is definitely one of my favorites on the CD together with “Inner Light” with its great arrangement, strong chorus and general melodic deliciousness.
This is a very coherent and consistent album, with an adequate production and well executed songs throughout. The only drawback I can find, and it’s a minor one, is that Twinball might not be the most inventive band. They are keepers of the hard rock tradition and stays within the conventions of the genre most of the time. So if you are into excellent guitar playing, great singing – as is the case for most Swedish bands it seems – combined with a steady rhythm section and a healthy dose of heavy rock tradition, this one’s for you.
If you go to Sweden Rock Festival in June you will get the chance to see Twinball live in full flight.
LH, February 2003
TWINBALL: “Remnants Of A Broken Soul” 9/10p
The new record label ‘Sweden Rock Records’ is yet another cornerstone in the Sweden Rock concept. They are of course also resposible for the best “classic” hardrock festival in Europe nowadays. Some of their releases are darn interesting too and especially Twinball comes to mind. Their debut “Remnants Of A Broken Soul” is a melodic yet heavy rock album from the land of the midnight sun [Sweden].
Twinball actually started out as a Thin Lizzy cover band. This is something you still can tell by their music today by the way. The excellent twin-guitar work by Lollo Sköllermark & T Park are of best Lizzy class. Add to this one helluva’ fine vocalist in Daniel Samuelsson and the rhythm section of Adde Psilander (bass) & Eke Pettersson (drums).
What strikes me as funny here is the marvelous cover of Chris DeBurgh’s “Don’t Pay The Ferryman”. This was a really good Pop/Rock song in the 80’s but this version is even better. How often can you say this about a cover? They’ve turned it into a Thin Lizzy sounding tune somehow and the result is remarkable. However, don’t go thinking that Twinball must sound like Lizzy all of the time. Cause nothing could be further from the truth really. They’ve taken the sound of Lizzy [how many times have I written Lizzy now? Ooops! yet another time now] and mixed it with Swedish hardrock. It’s like Talisman on steroids and a little bit of the Matti Alfonzetti (Jagged Edge) fronted band, Skintrade. However, this is way better than Skintrade ever was!!! I must also add, it’s more melodic, catchier, and not as ‘brutal’ either. Fans of Z Records “heavier” releases, will also dig this a lot. It only takes a couple of seconds of opening track “Twinball”, before you realize it’s going to be a good listening. The twin-guitar action combined with the wicked groove, makes this a winner in my book. Robin “H-H-H-Heartline” George is stunt/guest guitarist here. “Rules Of The Spinning World” and “Times Of Destiny” continues on the road of success. While “Tears Of Guilt” is a great semi-ballad with a catchy chorus. “Broken Soul” is back to the sound of Thin Lizzy (verses), while the chorus rocks a’la Talisman. Another favorites are “Inner Light” and “Reach Down”. Bottomline, this is a great debut album that simply came out of nowhere and suprised me positively. Recommended! www.swedenrock.com
SwedenRock Records 2002
Review by Urban “Wally” Wallstrom 30
December 2002
Aor-Europe webzine
Remnants of a broken soul 8/10p
Sweden rock records
Twinball started out as a Thin Lizzy cover act named Bad Reputation and the question is if they still sound like that. In my opinion both yes or no would do for an answer. You can still hear the twin guitar thing throughout the whole record but, for example, the first track Twinball has fragments of some early Alice in chains in it. The next track Ruler of the spinning world is kind of a mixture between the early Alice in chains and the late Black Sabbath. Times of destiny sounds more like an AOR song with a very catchy refrain. Throughout the record you realize that Twinballs strength is the mixing between various parts in the hardrock/heavy-metal scene and it has been played a lot in my home. They even do a Thin Lizzy version of Chris the Burghs Don’t pay the ferryman and they do it the Twinball way. Overall a record that should please both fans of the 70’s era as well as people who listen to bands like PC 69, Glenmore, Sinner etc.
Janne Stark
Sweden rock magazine no 8 2002
Debut album from this Swedish outfit that sounds very much THIN LIZZY, but with a little heavier straight forward metal edge. Tons of guitar riffs and extremly talented songwriting skills.Incredible production, a world class singer and twinguitars all over the place. Their heavy version of Chris DeBurgh’s “Dont Pay The Ferryman” is a little masterpiece. Buy it. You won’t get dissapointed