Jørn Lande was born May 31st, 1968 in Rjukan, Norway. He has sung with everyone from Vagabond to Masterplan. He even sang the theme song for the Norwegian National Soccer team. This is a page for his solo-efforts.

STARFIRE (2000) NOW & THEN/FRONTIERS

Jørn Lande was already a known and respected vocalist when he released his first solo album in 2000. 'Starfire' shows the man as himself, and not as a front man for someone else's musical vision. Thus we get many of his influences cramped into 10 tracks on this CD. 5 of them are cover songs, but more on that later. Jørn is into the classic hard rock and metal. His roots are to be found in the 70's more then in the 80's, with some exceptions. You will find just as much of David Bowie in his music, as you will Deep Purple and Thin Lizzy. That is just who this man is. The heaviest tracks on the debut CD are the original tracks. Songs like "Starfire" (one of his best songs to date) and "Abyss Of Evil" both sounds great alongside classics, such as the cover of Deep Purple's "Burn". The "glue" throughout this album is of course Jørn's voice. But you will also have to agree that the list of players on this album doesn't exactly hurt either. Next to the aforementioned cover tune, here is the break-down of the rest of them; "Edge Of The Blade" - Journey, "Break It Up" - Foreigner, "The Day The Earth Caught Fire" - City Boy, "Just The Same" - Jefferson Starship.

Killer tracks: Starfire, Forever Yours, The Day The Earth Caught Fire, Abyss Of Evil

OUT TO EVERY NATION (2004) AFM (Limited Edition Digibook)

To say that Jørn Lande is one of my favorite singers would almost be an understatement! This guys voice is incredible! And yet I never seemed to get myself to buy his solo efforts. I mean, I already own Masterplan, ARK, Vagabond and Mundanus Imperium, but none of his own stuff. Well, that changes NOW! 'Out To Every Nation' is the mans 3rd Jorn CD. This time he has an entire new band with him. And the new crowd does a fine job indeed. And why shouldn't they? 2 guys from Pagan's Mind, and one from Hammerfall, plus the greatest voice in metal. That just spells success to me! The music is more progressive in nature this time around. And that is no wonder when you know who the guitar-player and the drummer are. Add to that vocals lines that would also sound fine in ARK, and the result is self-explanatory. 'Out To Every Nation' have turned out to be a great album. It's definitely going to end up on my top 20 list of 2004 releases. I just can't get enough of Jørn's voice!

Killer tracks: Young Forever, Out To Every Nation, Living With Wolves, When Angel Wings Were White

THE DUKE (2006) AFM (Limited Edition Digibook)

Jørn Lande is one busy man, so here we get another solo effort from him. Most of the band members are different from last time, but most of them have a history with Jørn none the less. 'The Duke' brings you back to the melodic metal legacy from when bands like Whitesnake, Dio, Rainbow, Scorpions etc. ruled the world! This is just classic melodic metal, but with all the good stuff a beefed up, heavy and clear modern production can add to that. Don't get me wrong though, there are no modern elements here, only a better production than most of those mentioned bands ever had. The album opens strongly with "We Brought The Angels Down". This is without a doubt one of the finest songs Jørn has ever written. And even though the rest of the material presented are of very high caliber too, I can't help feeling that nothing can ever top the opener. Jørn Viggo and Tore are an excellent match as guitarists, with Tore bringing that classic Zakk Wylde style, and Jørn Viggo spicing it up with all kinds of delicious riffs, solos and so on. And with ex-TNT bassist, Morty Black, and Wild Willy's Gang boss, Willy Bendiksen, on bass and drums, you just know that the rhythm section is well taken care of. I really hope these guys get to play a lot of  live shows in the future, as this constellation must be one visual and listenable pleasure on stage. "Are You Ready" is a Thin Lizzy cover, and "Starfire" is a re-recorded version of a track originally on Jorn's debut solo effort. Do me a favor and check out 'The Duke'!

Killer tracks: We Brought The Angels Down, Blacksong, Duke Of Love, After The Dying, Starfire

THE GATHERING (2007) FRONTIERS

Something Real Gonna Find The Sun - The Snakes Bridges Will Burn Young Forever Tungur Knivur One Day We Will Put Out The Sun Sunset Station Hourglass - Millenium Gate Of Tears House Of Cards My Own Way - Allen/Lande Worldchanger Abyss Of Evil Where The Winds Blow - Ark Christine Big

It was only a matter of time before we got a Greatest Hits compilation from the hardest working voice in hard rock. And what a grand collection it has become! Most of the tracks are remixed, or redone is some ways. Featured are also songs from several constellation the man has worked with (I've put the names of the bands besides the song titles). "Big" is, as far as I can tell, a brand new track. One could of course always argue with the selection of songs. But with a back catalogue as strong as this man's, it is hard to not end up with a big grin on once face while listening to 'The Gathering'. I hope more people will discover the talent Jørn holds, and that he has quite a strong band to back him up nowadays. It's time for world power!

UNLOCKING THE PAST (2007) FRONTIERS

On And On - MSG Fool For Your Loving - Whitesnake Cold Sweat - Thin Lizzy Lonely Is The Word / Letters From Earth - Black Sabbath Burn - Deep Purple Feel Like Making Love - Bad Company Kill The King - Rainbow Perfect Strangers - Deep Purple Naked City - Kiss The Day The Earth Caught Fire - City Boy

'Unlocking The Past' is the second compilation disc that Jorn released in the beginning of 2007. Whereas 'The Gathering' showed us the music Jørn was a part of creating, 'Unlocking The Past' is all about paying tribute to the bands that inspired the young Jørn, growing up. And there is no secret that it was during the 70's and early 80's that Mr. Lande had his musical awakening. He has done lots of covers through the years, both on stage, and in the studio, so this collection of songs comes as no surprise. You have to give the man credit for doing a proper job at it. Every song here is filled with love for the original. But at the same time there is no denying the mark Jørn puts on whatever he lends his voice to. "Perfect Stranger" gives me goose bumps, and are one of very few covers I can honestly say has become better then the original, and that is saying a lot. Jørn has also been compared to David Coverdale a lot, so here you can here him rip through a Whitesnake classic of choice. Also look out for stellar performances of "Naked City" by Kiss and "The Day The Earth Caught Fire" by City Boy. This is a covers album I will actually pull out quite often!

LONELY ARE THE BRAVE (2008) FRONTIERS (Limited Edition)

Jørn is really keeping himself busy these days. But where he before used to indulge in all sorts of projects and guest appearances, nowadays his primary focus is his own band, Jorn. Wearing his influences on his sleeves he has continually ventured further back towards that 80's hard rock/melodic metal sound. 'Lonely Are The Brave' is yet another classic sounding effort, effortlessly sounding like the glory days of Whitesnake, Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy etc. But thanks to his co-writer, and eminent guitar-player, Jørn Viggo Lofstad, he keeps it from sounding like a copycat band. All this makes for a superb new record that sees a band in natural progression. Still I'm not all content with 'Lonely Are The Brave'. Sure, the production is stellar and the musicianship immaculate. But I can't help feeling that they have delivered stronger material before. If this was a debut album, it would be massive. But I just seem to like 'The Duke' and 'Out To Every Nation' better. This might change over time though, as 'Lonely Are The Brave' is definitely a grower! As a fan of this man, and his band, you can still buy this album unheard. you still bound to love what you're gonna hear. "Hellfire" was originally recorded when Jørn was singing for Beyond Twilight. My limited edition comes with 2 bonus tracks. "Stormbringer" is of course a Deep Purple cover.

Killer tracks: Lonely Are The Brave, Soul Of The Wind, Promises, Like Stone In Water

SPIRIT BLACK (2009) FRONTIERS (Limited Edition)

Does this guy ever rest? Only a year has passed since the last Jorn album, and in 2009 he has released a new studio album, a compilation CD and a new live DVD. Oh, and he has also announced his return to Masterplan! I tip my hat in awe!

'Spirit Black' sees a change in the line-up. Jørn Viggo Lofstad was probably too busy with his Pagan's Mind, so Jorn recruited guitar-wiz, Jimmy Iversen instead. I can't say that the change has done much for the overall sound of Jorn. The music is the same classic metal ala Dio, lofted on the same melodic principles as Thin Lizzy, Rainbow etc. The critics will have it that Jorn is stuck in a rut, releasing the same album, over and over. Strange then, that these are often the same people who are fast to criticize any band that dare experiment with their sound?! I for one is enjoying the heck out of this album. What's not to like? The soothing, yet powerful vocals? The guitar-wizardry taking you back to metals heyday's during the 80's? The tasteful solos? The steady rhythm, creating a solid backbone to the music? Granted this is not Jorn's strongest material, it is still an album filled with quality.

'Spirit Black', while being a brand new album, with brand new recordings, is actually packed with lots of older songs, and song ideas. At least 2 of the tracks are reworked tunes from the band Road. Road was a legendary Norwegian hard rock band, featuring Jimmy Iversen, Willy Bendiksen and Sid Ringsby! "City In Between" was originally recorded by Vagabond, so here Jørn is covering himself! "I Walk Alone" is a cover of ex-Nightwish singer, Tarja Turunen. Jørn's brings another dimension to this song, and I like this version so much better. The limited edition digi-pack version comes with a bonus track, a cover of Thin Lizzy's "The Sun Goes Down". 'Spirit Black' is just yet another stellar effort from one of the best voices in metal.

Killer tracks: Spirit Black, Road Of The Cross, City In Between, I Walk Alone

Jørn Lande guest appearances:

Avantasia - 'Lost In Space Part 1'

Avantasia - 'Lost In Space Part 2'

Avantasia - 'The Scarecrow'

Avantasia - 'The Wicked Symphony'

Avantasia - 'Angel of Babylon'

Tore Morén guest appearances:

Extol - 'Synergy'

Jan Axel "Hellhammer" Blomberg guest appearances:

Antestor - 'Det Tapte Liv' & 'The Forsaken'

Related artists:

Masterplan, ARK, Vagabond, Mundanus Imperium, Millenium, Pagan's Mind, Hammerfall, Carnivora, Wild Willy's Gang, TNT, Trivial Act, Yngwie Malmsteen, TinDrum, Chris Caffery, Firewind, Silverspoon