The Von Hertzen Brothers (VHB) are one of Finland’s more exciting exports to the world with their enticing blend of classic rock/prog with a touch of metal and the occasional infusion of punk. The VHB are well known across Scandinavia but haven’t become as well-known as perhaps they deserve to be, which has nothing to do with their music, which is always solid with some fine hooks and good harmonies, and despite the release of some fine albums and continually touring, they’ve yet to get the final push up into the big league.
Their new album sees them moving the emphasis back towards what they know they’re good at. Mikko VH: “We carried the cloak of prog wizards on our last two albums, but we can also write good pop choruses and catchy rock anthems, so it was time to bring this side out again.” As a result, this new album features a couple of potentially stadium-size rock anthems, as well as a return to the pop-rock of their earlier albums. There’s also a more optimistic ‘feel’ than previous releases, with themes embracing such as Global politics, personal growth and human relationships.
‘The Relapse’ opens up with jangly guitars on this fast-moving rock tune with its insistent riff, and ‘Snowstorm’ and ‘Tightrope Walker’ continue with the rock theme. ‘A Good Life’ is as near to a prog track as they get, but it’s on some of the slower pieces they excel. ‘Separation’ is a lovely slow track with just Mikko VH on piano You put a spear through my heart when I wanted consolation.”
‘Ascension’ has an anthemic-like chorus, as does ‘The Change’, about how toxic people can poison your life. The track ‘Starlings’ was inspired by their “murmuration”, a metaphoric phenomenon where ‘birds create amazing formations and shapes while manoeuvring at considerable speed,’ which the band extols in its lyrics. A strong album ends on a poignant note with ‘Wait For Me’, a beautifully slow tune with heartfelt vocals from Mikko VH about wanting to get a message to someone after a 30-year gap.
This is possibly the VHB’s best album for some while. Could this be the album which finally sees the band being accepted into the big league? Is there enough here to grab the critical attention of the rock fraternity? It’s hard to call but, if it isn’t, it won’t be because they’ve not put their heart and soul into it.
In Murmuration is out 25th October…
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