Satin, a.k.a. Tom Satin, a.k.a. Tommy Nilsen, broke out as a musical artist some ten years ago. He is active in several genres, keeping them apart through different branding. Satin is the moniker he uses for his melodic hard rock output.
The self-titled debut Satin was released in 2014, while the follow-up It’s About Time was released earlier this year.
Satin is heavily inspired by 1980s melodic hard rock. Initially there was without question a lot of inspiration from (Jon) Bon Jovi and 1980s Paul Stanley (KISS) in his music, and while that is still there, I think it’s fair to say that Satin at this point primarily sound like himself. That is the style he has embraced, and this is his own take on it.
The music is a great example that it is possible to work on every detail to make it exactly right without making it sound overtly polished at the same time. Satin has never been an out-and-out loud and dirty rock’n’roll project. Instead, the songs are instantly catchy, filled with hooks, passionately sung, and they tug on the heartstrings in the exact right amounts.
Album opener Look Up In the Sky is a particular delight, containing some of the best performances in the melodic rock genre you will find all year. It is all the more endearing for its lovely message about never letting go of your dreams. Obviously we’ve heard hundreds of songs with those type of messages before. You need to have a genuinely sincere delivery in your performance to make the listener feel it, which is exactly what Satin does so well. This is uplifting music with an earnest and heartening message. Sometimes that’s all we need – something so little, yet special.
Look up in the sky at night
You will see a star shine bright
Try to make your dreams come true
The star you looked at will always shine for you
I’ve always liked Satin’s voice, right from the first time I heard it. It is strong, clear, carries a tone very well, and dares to stray outside of its comfort zone. Although, it’s hard to say where his comfort zone ends, as he sounds quite comfortable hitting those very high notes any time there’s call for it!
Several songs could be pure homages to the melodic rock scene in the 1980s. I’ll Never Let You Down, for example, is the best song Bon Jovi never wrote. The melodic vocals define the song, with lovely bridge harmonies and a solid singalong chorus. Musically it is also suitably retro, but with the benefit of a modern recording that makes it sonically superior to anything recorded back in the day.
I am especially happy to see the track True Love finally properly recorded and released. This have been one of my favourite unreleased demos since I first heard it many, many years ago. Maybe a similar resurrection of the track What Have I Got could also be possible on future releases – here’s hoping!
In addition to several strong rock moments, the art of balladeering is also alive and well here. The enthusiasm and passion in the performances really hit home. Heading For A Fall is particularly emotional, with its huge chorus and a heartfelt plea for love to stay.
Speaking about ballads, It’s About Time has a better balance of them than its predecessor. The first album was sequenced in a way that made certain sections of the album feel a little ballad heavy. Not that I don’t like them – certainly not ones of the quality offered, but they should have their moments rather than dominating proceedings. The second album has energetic songs mixed in with ballads and mid-tempo material in a much better way. This also makes the ballads that are here have that much more impact when they arrive.
It’s About Time is a record that clearly has been made out of a genuine love for the melodic rock genre. The song writing and performances are top notch. The sound of the album is also impressive – from a production and mastering point of view, it’s simply a pleasure to listen to, and on a level that bigger albums frequently fail to reach.
The album is highlight after highlight. No matter what song you play, the last one is the one stuck in your head afterwards. Simply an amazing effort. A terrific and highly recommended album.
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