Final Warning

There have been several times in my life where I have heard an album, and from the very opening strains I have known that I was going to not only love the album, but it was going to remain an album that I love a very long time. The first time I heard bands like KISS, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath, TNT, Dream Theater, Harem Scarem, Journey, Talisman, and Pretty Maids I knew that those bands would be lifelong partners in my sojourn through this thing we call Life. Almost every one of those bands has been consistent members in the soundtrack of my existence. It’s not very often these days that a new band makes me feel that way again. Right off the top of my head I can think of two bands in the past couple years that has fit that bill for me. Neither band has anything in common other than the fact that I felt an instant connection, and they gave me that tingly feeling of excitement for the music bathing over my ears. They are Final Curse, an incredible thrash band, and the band I’m about to review: Oxygen. Their debut album Final Warning for Escape Music is, simply put, one of the finest AOR releases I have heard in a very long time. Listening to this album took me back to the days when I discovered TNT. The tracks are the perfect recipe (yes, I said perfect) for what makes this type of music so enjoyable to listen to: they’re catchy. From the up-tempo rockers to the magnificent ballads, Oxygen are everything Journey wishes they were now. I don’t typically gush about new releases this much, but Final Warning is outstanding. Tony Niva, the bands founder and vocalist, has a voice that is a mix of Tony Harnell minus the major upper range Harnell is known for and Lou Nadeau of Wrabit. His voice is crisp and clear and mesmerizing; chock full of AOR gold. Adding to the musical brilliance are guitarist Roger Ljungggren, keyboards Marcus Persson, and drums Bengan Anddersson. The band is tight, adding to the great vocals and songs. When I first listened to it I thought maybe it was just a fluke me liking it so much- perhaps I was just in a great mood that day, but after several more listens this is a fantastic album that is a must-have for fans of not only AOR, but just good music period. Bands like Oxygen, making music like the songs contained on Final Warning, make my job of reviewing so easy, but they also bring such joy to my life. With tracks like “We Must Fight,” “Anything for Love,” “I Wanna Know For Sure,” and “Janitor Of Love” they create a sound that brings such happiness to me just listening to them. The whole album is why I love music so much. So enough of me raving about this album, you must add Oxygen’s Final Warning to your collection. NOW!! -- by Chris (Myglobalmind Webzine)