Warmen - 'Japanese Hospitality'

Warmen is the side project of Children Of Bodom keyboardist Janne Wirman. Their fourth album Japanese Hospitality features a wide variety of styles and guest musicians. The core band includes Wirman’s brother Antti on guitar, bassist Jyri Helko and drummer Mirka Rantanen.

Even with the multitude of guests, Japanese Hospitality still feels like a cohesive album. It is the keyboardist’s album, and Warman gets plenty of exposure, especially on the instrumental “Switcharoo,” but the guitars are still front and center. Hard rock, traditional metal, power metal and prog are some of the genres explored on the album.

“Eye Of The Storm” is in the prog/power metal vein, and features Timo Kotipelto from Stratovarius. “High Heels On Cobblestone” has Children Of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho on vocals, and has a dirtier and groovier vibe along with some catchy riffs.

There are three songs featuring Jonna Kosonen, the Finnish singer who also appeared on the Children Of Bodom version of “Oops, I Did It Again.” She’s a great addition to the album, and has an excellent voice. Her tracks are on the hard rock/arena rock/traditional metal side of the spectrum. Kosonen and Laiho team up on the Janet Jackson cover “Black Cat,” with her singing and him playing guitar.

The other cover song on Japanese Hospitality has Pasi Rantanen (Thunderstone) tackling the Journey classic “Separate Ways.” It’s a bit crunchier than the original, but the arrangement is pretty similar. It’s difficult to match Steve Perry’s vocal prowess, and Rantanen doesn’t quite measure up. They would have been better off putting a different spin on it.

Japanese Hospitality is an enjoyable album featuring a diverse cast of characters, some catchy songs, eclectic music and only one misfire.

(released October 13, 2009 on Spinefarm Records)