Stargazer – Stone Cold Creature

Stargazer
Stone Cold Creature
Label: Mighty Music
Out: September 12^th, 2025
Playing time: 44:07

They are hailing from Norway’s diverse Rock tradition and have been a powerhouse of Melodic Hard Rock since 2008 – Stargazer from Trondheim. Deeply rooted in Classic Rock, they also incorporate modern sounds into their music. They have released three studio albums so far, most recently ‘Life Will Never Be the Same’ in 2023, and are now back with ‘Stone Cold Creature’. According to the press release, this is their ‘most explosive work’ to date. The album was produced by Soren Andersen (Glenn Hughes, Electric Guitars, among others).

The start of the album with ‘Make A Deal With The Devil’ is extremely powerful. Riff-driven Hard Rock, with an expressive singer on the microphone. Plus a first-class guitar solo. ‘Looking For A Star’ then stomps along rhythmically in the mid-tempo range. The refrain invites you to sing along. And then it gets anthemic with ‘New Hope’. Once again, the song is easy to sing along to. ‘Burning Up Inside’ is then slightly bluesy and a little quieter, almost ballad-like. With a beautifully melodic refrain and the solo of a guitar that literally sings. The title track ‘Stone Cold Creature’ is again characterised by gentle riffs. After the short instrumental interlude ‘No Escape’, which is dominated by strings, it continues in exactly the same way, with gentle riffing alternating with beautiful guitar melodies, sophisticated guitar solos and catchy refrains, as in ‘Winter Is Coming’, ‘Writings On The Wall’ and ‘Screams Break The Silence’. In between is ‘The King’s Return’, another instrumental interlude, but this time with guitars and keyboard tapestries. The instrumental ‘Ice Walker’ doesn’t quite fit into this basic scheme either. It is quite rocky here. On the other hand, ‘I Need You Now (More Than Ever)’ is a wonderfully contemplative ballad. Finally, ‘What Are You Waiting For’ and ‘Riding Through The Night’ are two more rocking numbers to listen to.

‘Stone Cold Creature’ features wonderful Melodic Hard Rock as well as one or other AOR gems. Tore André Helgemo in particular scores with his expressive and variable voice. Guitarist William Ernstsen also sets accents time and again. The other musicians play relaxed and provide the necessary power. But it’s not really ‘explosive’, as the press release suggests. Fans of this genre should definitely listen to the album.

Stargazer – Make A Deal With The Devil (official audio): https://youtu.be/SOLzllWjmy0?si=mvVIRBbVYKvTKVfT

Lineup:

Tore André Helgemo – Vocals
William Ernstsen – Guitar
Jomar Johansen – Bass
Svend Skogheim – Drums
Sondre Bjerkset – Keyboards

Track list:

• Make A Deal With The Devil
• Looking For A Star
• New Hope
• Burning Up Inside
• Stone Cold Creature
• No Escape
• Winter Is Coming
• Writings On The Wall
• The King’s Return
• Ice Walker
• Screams Break The Silence
• I Need You Now (More Than Ever)
• What Are You Waiting For
• Riding Through The Night