Strike Eagle - Operation Mjölnir
Artwork by Andy Hay
Review by Karl Magi
Overall Album Impressions
Strike Eagle’s Operation Mjölnir radiates the spirit of an ‘80s air combat movie with soaring melodies, dramatic emotional depth and unstoppable energy. It showcases Strike Eagle’s talents along with a host of other equally talented musical guests who really get in on the atmosphere that permeates the album.
Majestic, powerful and exciting melodies are a strong component of Operation Mjölnir. The melodies are dramatic, intense and full of energy as they unfold against a backdrop of thunderous percussion and gigantic bass. I also find the gentler love songs compelling and heartfelt on the album.
All of the guest artists on Operation Mjölnir bring more depth and performance quality to the album. Ben Higgins’ guitar work is first rate and contributes a great deal to the energy and retro atmosphere of the album along with Olly Knight-Smith’s playing on “Music Comes Alive.”
Tim Capello’s colossal, gutsy sax performance adds more ‘80s spirit. Mandi Harkett’s soulful vocals and lyrics deepen the emotional content of the album and Syst3m Glitch’s production adds finesse. I also must mention BLOODPANIC’s gritty, jagged synth work on “Extraction.”
In many instances the term “cinematic” is badly misused. In the case of this album, I think it is spot on. The musical elements combine to create intense imagery and moving emotion. There’s a level of entertaining bombast and energy that permeates each track and gives it the feeling of an over the top ‘80s action flick (in a great way.)
My Favourite Tracks Analyzed
“Cold Start” comes to life as sharply slipping sounds are broken by a huge, rapid drum pulse echoing along with gentle tapping. A bell rings out and solid bass oscillates as it is underpinned by militaristic, flourishing drums.
Trumpeting synth sings out a rousing melody that feels noble and melancholy in equal measure. Delicate higher synth floats and powerful drums pulse and rebound. The melody is enjoyably deep with emotion as bells ring and drums throb. Rounded notes float out in a bright line before silence falls.
Punchy drums swirl and rebound above solidly throbbing bass before Ben Higgins' guitar leaps out in a bending, gritty line as “Feel The Burn” opens. Strike Eagle’s vocals jump in with energizing strength carrying a dynamic melody full of propulsion.
The guitar slashes out along with a gleaming synth trickling high above it and the drums and bass rocket on. Ben Higgins’ guitar solo is thrilling as it screams and howls before the hard-edged vocals drive and battering drums pound.
The chorus rises with combative energy as the guitar cuts with ferocious energy while rippling high synth accents it. The guitar takes a heart-pounding journey over the strings, whirling out in wild abandon. A radio communication moves in and the guitar slices powerfully as the vocal melody bursts with strength and life.
Pure combative speed and power fill the lyrics as our narrator tells the pilot that its time to “spool up your turbine get your engines hot” and to push the throttle forward and “show ‘em what you’ve got.” He points out that it is the pilot’s opportunity to do battle and “dominate the sky.” As they are facing off, there’s no time for him to think so he should “fly on instinct, better take your shot."
It is a case of man versus machine and the narrator urges the pilot not to miss his chance. He needs to focus because it is the time to do or die. He encourages the pilot to “get in the fight and fly for your life.” Now he talks about how the pilot must feel the burn because “you’re gonna light up the fire so that they will learn.”
The storyteller says that the pilot will “race it to the top” and his enemies will know it. He speaks of lighting the fire and pushing the plane to afterburn. He adds that his enemies are going to “feel the burn” in their combat.
Now he describes the pilot locking eyes with the enemy so he can start “circle turning” to get his sights on his opponent to make them “rue the day.” The narrator speaks of this as the pilot’s “battle cry” which gives the enemy “no chance to run” as he’s got a taste for the fight now. It is time to “pull the trigger, feel the rockets ignite.” The pilot is told that he’ll be dominant and that the enemy’s life is “in short supply.”
Our storyteller speaks of how the pilot will turn and burn as he stands alone “with screaming wings downturned.” He asks the pilot to take over the plane as it Is “hunt or be hunted.” The pilot will “align, spool up the engine” and feel two worlds combining. He has to clear his mind because “you’re flying for your life.”
“Music Comes Alive” starts as funky drums and bass create a groove below Tim Capello’s fat-sounding, impassioned sax that growls intently. Mandi Harkett’s smoothly flowing vocals carry a caressing vocal melody with ear-pleasing soul.
Drums pulsate as brass leaps to accent Mandi Harkett's gliding, rich voice. Tim Capello’s sax is full of pleasing, reedy grit as the drums keep popping while the sensuous vocals are expressive.
The chorus has a gliding quality and brass shines, supported by funky bass and a guiding drumbeat. Tim Capello lets loose with a leaping sax solo that is full of jazzy energy and bursting power. Mandi Harkett’s vocals move with inspiring as drums keep up their pulse. The whole track ends on deep musical joy.
Our tale’s teller speaks of the night falling as it is “clear we’re meant to be” even in a “crowd of uncertainty.” She says that they won’t deny the rhythm “to take control.” The melody brings them together as the tempo begins to captivate them, feeling “in time, set to our heart rate.”
Now the storyteller says it is time to stop being afraid and crying because "all that’s left is you and I, transformed by this beat that helps us fly.” She calls for the two of them to “revive as the music comes alive.” Any conversation is drowned by the sound that “hits the floor and stuns the walls.”
They have left their insecurities behind them. At the moment they “thought the dark was here to stay” stars came to shine their light on them. As the music rises in the club, she calls out to the song’s subject that they should “take a chance in our dance and make these flames go higher.” They need to build up and grab the “unreachable dreams we desire.”
Now the narrator talks about the perfect harmony made for them as they are “transformed by this beat that helps us fly.” She calls on them to bring things back to life and “drive to the dreams that we share” which are not as distant as they once thought.
Charging drums and cascading guitar that is immediately irrepressible kick off “Hard Target.” The drums splash in as Ben Higgins’ guitar snarls and the rocking chorus climbs. Strike Eagle’s voice is full of deep strength and energy while the drums rush along with controlled power.
Ben Higgins’ guitar has a razor edge and while bursting drums and driving bass keep rocketing onward. Strike Eagle's vocal melody is inspiring and full of intensity as the guitar flies out in a hammering, twisting solo that evokes a screaming jet in a dogfight. Again the vocals soar upward, full of drama as the drumbeat relentlessly pulsates.
The narrator talks about the pilot getting into his aircraft and how he will “commune with the infinite” because it is his reason to take flight. He describes how the pilot will “lacerate” as the plane tears through the air and how he will reach upward “flying high on screaming eagle wings to fight.”
Now the storyteller describes the pilot as a “hard target” moving through the night and how it will be “ingress to hard target.” He is going to “own the skies tonight.” He says that the pilot will go in free of emotion and anticipating. He adds that “there is ice in your veins, thinking fast and acting faster.” He makes no mistakes as he is “breaking the chains.”
Our narrator describes the pilot “going long and flying hard” to feel the speed that night. He will be “flying high on wings of steel” as he moves into the battle space.
"Break The Prison” starts as overwhelmingly powerful drums collide and elevated, distorted sounds sweep into wide open space. A scattered synth trembles and rushing sound moves along with flashing, ominous brass.
Yearning strings add a dark resonance before brass calls out with dramatic intent above the thundering drums. Trumpeting notes climb and add intensity before they subside in a rush. Drama and danger permeate this track to effectively add even more tension to it.
Razor-edged, jagged synth pulses cut into the track and pounding, dense percussion drives them into an angular, jumping motion to open “Extraction.” Above them, rounded notes flow and now intense, minor key orchestral sounds create a darkly victorious sonic rush.
Stuttering, grunting synth pulses slash while smooth arpeggios twirl and a brass section sings an intriguing melody rich with danger and majesty. BLOODPANIC’s clotted, growling synth throbs in a rushing line before moving into a slower segment in which nasal, medium low synth begins accelerates into a tumbling pattern.
Drums accelerate with ferocity before slowing into a gigantic, towering synth pulse. Percussion batters and a howling sonic maelstrom and a dark vocal sample are shattered by heavily pulsating, sharp edged synth.
“Muninn Flight” comes to life as a bell rings out and shadowy bass swirls and oscillates. Creaking, groaning guitar rises as the heavy blackness intertwines below. Ben Higgins’ guitar carries a melody that aches and trembles with feeling as it moves above shaping drums and powerful bass.
The guitar melody becomes elegiac before a warmer tone fills it. I am drawn to the guitar’s bluesy howl. Drums thunder again and the guitar calls out with a more upbeat and noble feeling while brighter notes swell underneath.
Orchestral backing adds to the intense life pouring from the guitar as it unfurls with a lush tone. Drums form a guiding motion as a smoothly rippling arpeggio twirls and guitar dances in intricately interlocking lines. The umbra below the other musical elements adds threat. As the track ends, the tragic and inspiring main melody climbs to the skies on gleaming guitar.
Speeding bass drives onward as massive retro drums throb to begin “Wings Of Your Heart.” Enfolding, glowing synth carries a gently encouraging melody. Strike Eagle’s deeply resonant voice carries a melody intense with dreaming joy as panpipes flutter airily.
Strike Eagle''s vocal is deeply felt while huge drums touch the music. A keyboard flashes with hopeful light as the guitar cries out, equally full of passion and emotion. The uplifting melody is supported by fluttering panpipes as the retro percussion and bass rush on.
The way in which the music exudes positive emotion is satisfying. Drums burst broadly and chimes glow as the keyboard spins out a warming and energizing melody. A sense of dreamy light flows from the music as drums dance. The chorus flies out on Strike Eagle’s emotive and uplifting voice before the song drives to an end.
The story’s teller asks if the song’s subject remembers walking into his life with “the look in your eyes mesmerizing.” He says that he can’t believe his eyes when he looks at the other person’s face and “that smile (that) can make me soar.” He points out that they get him and that he’s been set free as they “floor me (with your laugh) just like you did.”
In the chorus, our narrator talks about the song’s subject “with your red plaid shirt and those two-tone eyes.” As the other person smiles, he talks about it being paradise and adds, “What a way to start! You're a work of art!”
The narrator explains that the spark igniting at “the karaoke bar where we spent the night” never felt as right as it does now. He adds that they were “a world apart” and that the other person kick-started him “on the wings of your heart.”
He describes the other person as “the adorable nerd I love with all of my heart.” He talks about how the other person is enchanting when they dance. He wonders why it is that the song’s subject wants to spend their life with him.
Their “flame burns bright” together and the other person will “soothe my soul” as they hold him and “shine brightly (in our world.)” He talks about how they illuminate him with their spark “just like the night.”
As the song comes to an end, the narrator says “I hold you close tonight, the magic is still alive, you take my breath away.”
Conclusion
Operation Mjölnir bursts at the seams with exuberant energy as it unfolds in a rush of melodic power, grand emotion and filmic imagery. My main criteria for judging an album is the entertainment quotient and this album delivers on that score in a huge way!
