Swedish Hitz Goes Metal Tribute, 2011

"I have always liked the idea of doing metal cover versions of pop songs, so projects like this always pique my interest, but I must say that I was a bit disappointed with this release, and I think that part of my problem is that I am not the biggest fan of cheesy Euro power metal, which is of course the base sound of the ReinXeed guys behind "Swedish Hitz Goes Metal". I mean, to me, it is more like Swedish Hitz Goes Cheese, and this release has made many of the pop tracks sound even more cheesy than in the original version. I do like the versions of "Mama Mia" and "Money Money Money" because they already have a big and cheesy sound that lends itself well to Euro power metal - the cover versions of "Super Trouper" and "The Winner Takes it All" more than what my cheese tolerance can take though. And the uptempo version of Roxette's "The Look" also works fairly well, while the cover of "Joyride" somehow ended up being more poppy than the original, which is already a rock song. I should mention that i actually quite like the original versions of these songs. Similarly, I quite like the original reggae-tinged version of the melancholic dance hit by Ace of Base "All that She Wants", and I have always found the idea of doing a metal version of this song interesting because it has potential for some massive heaviness (I seem to remember actually having heard a heavy version before which kicked ass), but the power metal cheese prevents the Swedish Hitz goes Metal version from ever reaching a satisfactory level of heaviness. The album is overall - despite the cheese overload - an enjoyable listen, and I can imagine that it is the perfect soundtrack for a late summer party, but that owes just as much to the inherent hit nature and mass appeal of the original songs (I mean, it is not a coincidence that they became massive Swedish "hitz") as to the power metal reworking. Should you be a fan of cheesy Euro power metal and of legendary Swedish pop music, your life will definitely be enriched if you buy this album. (review originally posted at metalmusicarchives.com)"