Lead singer Ulrick Lönnqvist initially started out with the band Sahara who released a self-titled album in 2001 on AOR Heaven. Since then he has mainly been working as a song-writer and co-writer for different bands all around Sweden, e.g. with Hal Marabel (Bad Habit), Morgan Jensen (Swedish Erotica), Jake E (Amaranthe), Michael Palace (Palace) and Andreas Gullstrand (Creye). During 2016, when he was co-writing songs for new albums, producer and drummer Daniel Flores (The Murder Of My Sweet, Find Me) approached Lönnqvist and suggested that he really should record an album of his own. Although Lönnqvist had never intended to be a solo artist, Flores convinced him and wanted to produce the album. The singer teamed up with co-writers guitarist Morgan Jensen (Swedish Erotica) and bassist Michael Palace (Palace, Big Time), and along with lead guitarist Oscar Bromvall (Palace, Erika) and keyboard player Kaspar Dahlqvist (Shadowquest, Dionysus) the line-up was complete with Daniel of course providing the drums.
Given Ulrick’s history with Sahara, it is no surprise to the style of music Code Red provide, and no surprise that AOR Heaven snapped them up. This is classic AOR, with just enough melodic rock to remove most of the sugar and instead make this an album that brings a smile to the face. Lönnqvist sings without an accent, and one could well think that this was a lost album from the likes of Shooting Star, as opposed to a brand-new album from a band comprised of Swedes. There are a few songs that are more balladic in style, but for me it is when the band kick in and drive through AOR with energy and passion that the music really comes alive. This album will never be appreciated by those who don’t enjoy this particular genre, and there are plenty, but if you enjoy this style you will love this.
