HARROW - EMBRACE THE WORLD
Released March, 1999 in Japan by SOUNDHOLIC LTD.CO. and other countries by HP MUSIC HP-0555 / produced by HARRY WIJERING & ERIK DE BOER/ recorded at HARROW PRODUCTIONS HOLLAND:
1. ILLUSION OR REALITY (INTRO)
2. THE SUN
3. NATURE'S CRY
4. THE STRENGTH OF THE WORD
5. MASQUERADE OF WAR
6. LIFE DIES DOWN
7. THE MAKER SPEAKS (INTRO)
8. THE BLUEPRINT OF LIFE
9. MOTHER OF DISASTERS
10. EMBRACE THE WORLD
11. ILLUSION OR REALITY
12. TRAINS OF DEATH - LIVE (only on the Japanese edition)
13. DON'T WAIT FOR ME - LIVE (only on the Japanese edition)
14. CATSTRIKE - LIVE (only on the Japanese edition)

HARROW - CALL OF THE UNBORN
Released 1997 in Japan / label: SOUNDHOLIC CO.LTD JAPAN / produced by HARRY WIJERING & ERIK DE BOER / recorded at HARROW PRODUCTIONS HOLLAND / mixed by JOE COMEAU & SEBASTIAN MARINO at FILTHY TRACKS NEW YORK / SHCD1-0010:
1. PHANTOM OF DESPICE
2. CALL OF THE UNBORN mp3
3. TRAINS OF DEATH mp3
4. THE GUARDIAN mp3
5. DISGRACE OF THE GIANT
6. BOTH SIDES
7. THE CLAW OF DESTINY
8. DEMOLITION
9. TERMINAL ATTACK
10. FRIENDS
11. PUNISHMENT DAY
12. ROAD RACIN' (RIOT)
13. BACK ON MY FEET (VANDENBERG)

HARROW - THE PYLON OF INSANITY
Released 1994 in Europe and Japan / label: NOISE RECORDS GERMANY / produced by SVEN CONQUEST / recorded at RASH GERMANY-POWERPLAY GERMANY-HARROW PRODUCTIONS HOLLAND / N0245-2:
1. THE ISLE OF REALITY
2. THE PYLON
3. CATSTRIKE
4. ROAD TO NOWHERE
5. WAKE UP AND SEE
6. ETERNAL CHASE
7. MONKS mp3
8. TIMELESS WORLD
9. LOST SOULS
10. REVERSE TALES
11. THE LAST SIGN

HARROW - THE RISING PHOENIX
Released 1997 in Japan / label: SOUNDHOLIC CO.LTD JAPAN / produced by HARRY WIJERING / recorded at HARROW PRODUCTIONS HOLLAND / SHCD1-0019:
1. THE RISING PHOENIX mp3
2. BLUE LIGHTNING
3. MONEYMAKER
4. LOTLORIEN
5. STORM OF DIFFERENCE
6. STONECOLD (incl. FEARFUL AWAKENING)
7. BLINDMEN AND FOOLS (TYTAN)
8. WRATHCHILD (IRON MAIDEN) mp3
9. SPACE TRUCKIN' (DEEP PURPLE)
10. ARMED AND READY (MSG)
11. EUTHANASIA (TYGERS OF PANTANG)
12. SECOND SIGHT

THE STORY
Besides several demotapes their first feat is the album titled THE RISING PHOENIX, which the band released in 1993. Independent label NOISE RECORDS from Germany signed HARROW for their next album, THE PYLON OF INSANITY. After releasing this album in August 1994, HARROW went on tour. Besides a head-line-tour through the Netherlands, the band performed as support-act for PAUL DIANNO'S KILLERS in Germany. KILLERS had just released their MENACE TO SOCIETY-album. For HARROW this tour was a success. Frequent live per-formances are inspiring and strengthens the band between the musicians. HARROW gained a lot of positive critiques from audience and press. The climax that year were the 3 Summer-Metal-Meetings-festivals in Germany HARROW participated in. In the impressive line-up of RUNNING WILD, RAGE, GAMMA RAY, ICED EARTH, GRAVE DIGGER and GLENMORE, HARROW had to open stage. The large, filled halls inspired 3 super performances.

Unfortunately NOISE RECORDS ended their cooperation with HARROW which forced the band to take any reasonable chance just to con-tinue the successful story. Recordcompany MILECREST was interested, so the time had come to write new material for a new album.

A new concept had to be found, until then most songs were written by guitarist Harry Wijering and were rooted in the past. Now a complete album had to be thought up in a relatively short time. Harry and Erik de Boer worked-out different basic ideas to end up with the instru-mentals. To this Frank van Gerwen wrote the lyrics. It was agreed that the recordings would be done in Harry Wijering's studio 'HARROW Productions' in the Netherlands where the band rehearses and records her demos. One could honestly call it a 'home game'. The production was done by Harry himself with some assistance from Erik. An American situation was chosen for the final mix. It was done in the 'Filthy Track Re-cording Studio' in Rochester, USA by Sebastian Marino (ex-ANVIL) and Joe Comeau (ex-LIEGE LORD), guitarplayers of the band OVERKILL. The new HARROW-album was born, CALL OF THE UNBORN.

Just a limited amount had been released before MILECREST broke down. A sad situation considering the promising critiques from both press and audi-ence. Fortunately the album will get its primal release in Japan by SOUNDHOLIC LTD.CO. in April 1997.

CALL OF THE UNBORN, fat metal with lots of melody and choppy riffs, a very own style and a high technical standard. The songs solid union and take you over 70 minutes through spheres of imagination and critical themes. The base is formed by a broad, heavy distorted guitar-wall. There are strong, somewhat traditional songstructures present, a struc-ture of couplet, bridge and chorus. Attempts are made to make the chorus recognizable, in other words it has to linger in your memory. The riffs are rigid and rhythmic and drums support and em-phasize the different moods of the songs. The singing is expressive and honest, the mood and text determine if the singing is clean or deformed. Often there are instrumental parts in the songs where a tempo, beat or mood can change completely. The different technical tour de forces are always in service of the song as a whole, so no endless freaking or ego-tripping. The guitarists of the band 'fight' many duels on guitar, over a great many styles. You will really flip your lid listening to this album. Extra on the Japanese version of the album will be two bonustracks, a VANDENBERG-song and a RIOT-song, which have become real HARROW-sounding songs after all. The reason why we picked out these particularly songs is mainly because Harry worked for several years as ADRIAN VANDENBERG's guitar-roady and in his opinion the song 'Back on my feet' was a very good 'live-song'. In 1984 Harry went on tour with VANDENBERG through JAPAN. The RIOT-song 'Road racin' was Harry's choice also, it was one of the first metal songs Harry played with his first band, and along with IRON MAIDEN's 'Killers'-album it was a big influence. The Japanese release of CALL OF THE UNBORN became a succes. SOUNDHOLIC planned the release of HARROW's first album THE RISING PHOENIX as well. As a bonus the band recorded some well known metal/rock-classics to complete the album.

After this HARROW started writing new songs. It had to be something special, something different but pure HARROW!! The new album EMBRACE THE WORLD is a concept-album featuring our mother Earth. The story has been written by all members of HARROW. Agressive metal and orchestral pieces lead you through this story. Check out the review-section and read what the world thinks of it.....

FEATURING:
Harry Wijering - guitars. He is the founder of HARROW. His talent for writing melodic hardrocksongs became apparent at an early stage. As he worked as the guitarroady of Andriaan Vandenberg ofcourse his influence came from Vandenberg too. He toured with the Vandenberg, even to Japan in 1985.He learned a lot about the business. It is not so amazing therefore that HARROW's demos already drew attention in the past. Harry revealed himself to be an adequate organizer and taught the band to work professionally. In many ways it was attempted to draw the attention of press and public to the music of HARROW. Despite all efforts HARROW did not escape line-up changes that were mostly due to the different preferences of music within the band. Time and time again Harry came up with replacements and started again. Harry also made his first steps onto the recording-world. In his rehearsal-complex he recorded the demo FEARFUL AWAKENING on 4 tracks. This in 1991 released demo received very positive critiques. Harry went on to develop his studio into a 48 track, digital studio and began to produce for other bands. He is amongst others the producer for deathmetal-band ASPHYX, symph/rockband MARATHON and many more. In febr 2000 Harry released, on his own label "HP music" the Dutch metalband "Form", the band split a half year later and its called now "FIFTH". Harry plays Fender guitars and Marshall Valvestates.

Martin Kuipers - drums. Joined Harrow in 1997. Succeeded Ferry Bult who left to Marathon later Enorm. Martin played a/o with MYSTREZ, CHANGE OF SEASONS and GRACIOUS SOULS. He's a drummer using several techniques varying from metal to jazz & groovy styles. He plays cool patterns on Embrace the world. This album shows how brilliant he is!

Frank van Gerwen- vocals. Joined Harrow in 1988. Developed his own style during the years. Likes to record a 'living' spontanious sound more than them smooth voices. Has an extremely high pitch but uses his rough lower grunt too. He's the writer of the lyrics in which he tells stories thought up by the whole band. Live on stage he likes to perform and enjoy the fans as much as possible!!With his powerful voice he has made Harrow what it was-heavy/hard/rough.

Erik de Boer - guitars & keys. Joined Harrow in 1990. Erik is, besides Harry, responsible for the compositions and arrangements. Within the band it became apparent that the cooperation between Harry and Erik had not become a rivalry but that they were additive and completing each other. As guitarplayers they left each other space to do what each was best at and encouraging each other to perform great solos. When it comes to making music Erik seems tireless, many bands ask him to contribute and many projects are started by himself. He plays his guitar like a freak, crazy space-solo's and rough metal-axing! Next to his guitar he is exploring the possibility of a keyboard more and more. He wrote and played the virtuoso and orchestral keyboard-parts for the instrumental track THE CLAW OF DESTINY on CALL OF THE UNBORN. On EMBRACE THE WORLD he has composed and played the athmospheres and orchestras. Erik plays Ibanez, Yamaha and Musicman guitars on Marshall Valvestates.

Fred Meijer - bassguitar.(No picture)Joined Harrow in 1995. He is the successor of Johnny Fraterman. As bassplayer he equals his predecessor but as 'stage-animal' he exceeds. Shortly after he joined the band, an extensive tour was planned. Freddy had to learn the repertoire in a very short time but did this formidably. Live it seemed as if he had been with Harrow for years and after the recording of 'Call of the Unborn' the band without him is unimaginable. On Embrace the world his clear and heavy bass-sound is not only the fundament of the structure but also performs leading melodies. Fred plays Warwick bassguitars and Laney & Ampeg Amplifiers.

REVIEWS:
Review by HARD ROXX (UK) - Gordon Speirs (ENGLISH
HARROW - EMBRACE THE WORLD
Rating: 9.5/10
You know it's albums like this that really annoy me because first, you cannot but marvel at its magnificence, secondly you find out it's their fifth official release and thirdly, you just can't believe that you've never heard of them before. For the record then, Harrow are a five-piece from Holland who are well blessed in the art of extremely well orchestrated melodic power metal that at times borders on prog territory which provides plenty of depth and substance to their colourful sound. Imagine a head on collision of Priest, Savatage, Vanden Plas and Vicious Rumors and you won't be far from the dynamic and stylish metal assault of Harrow. In Frank Van Gerwen they have an excellent vocalist who expertly utilises his vast range amidst the towering riffs and pummelling rhythms. In fact, the whole band display an alarming degree of technical expertise as they roar their way through metal epic after metal epic, whether it's the all out metal carnage of 'Masquerade Of War' or the more articulate offerings like 'The Strength Of The Word'. As with the case with Steel Prophet, 'Embrace The World' is a pleasant surprise and it makes me wonder how many more acts like this have slipped through the net. Looks like another CD destined for this year's top ten.

Review by DYNAMITE METAL - Joel Ansier(ENGLISH)
HARROW - EMBRACE THE WORLD
Rating: A -
Here's one that really took me by surprise! The fifth release from Dutch power metal warriors Harrow is exceptionally strong, especially for an independent. These 11 tracks are highly reminiscent of classic Savatage, everything from the heavy guitars to the vocals remind the listener of the Oliva strut. While Harrow aren't as flashy as some of their power metal brethren, they certainly get the job done. Comfortably sliding from heavy power segments to softer acoustic pieces, Embrace the World is a diverse and enriching experience. The album's overall theme of planetary destruction is highlighted by quotations from notable historic figures such as Martin Luther King Jr and Chief Seattle. Lyrical themes are generally fairly negative, and can even come across as tree-hugging at times. The band can even be a little preachy at times, but generally that doesn't bother me. Idiosyncrasies aside, Embrace the World is a solid effort well worthy of your attention, especially if you're a fan of Savatage

Review by - C.J. (ENGLISH)
HARROW - EMBRACE THE WORLD
Rating: none
Back in '99 with their latest and most dynamic release to date, Harrow present us with Embrace The World. On this disc, you can here the definitive line of influences and embrace of different styles. Bordering on hardcore, melody and semi-operatic vocals give "The Sun" a progressive/powermetal edge. Like a slower version of old Annihilator, "The Blueprint Of Life" infects your ears with dynamic syncopations and subtle precision while the thrashy and speed-driven "The Strength Of The Word" is reminiscent of Harrow's earlier albums. On the very progressive "Life Dies Down", solid rhythms and accomplished guitar playing are highlighted by soundclips and a wailing sax solo. Probably the best track on Embrace The World, the instrumental title track starts off with ambient solo guitar and keys, later erupting into a prog-metal paradise. If you're into the thrashy, mid-80s underground metal scene, the brutal, old-school Metallica riffage of "Mother Of Disaster" explodes like an earthshaking warhead flying out of your speakers. Other great tracks are the clean-tone, slow groove-laden "Nature's Cry" and the closing track, "Illusion Or Reality". Acoustic and moody, the latter and closing track acts as the perfect exit to an excellent cd.

Review by ROCKHARD (GER) - Frank Albrecht (GERMAN)
HARROW - EMBRACE THE WORLD
Rating: 8/10
Eine Glucksstrahne haben die hollandischen Powermetaller HARROW bislang weiss Gott nicht gehabt. Ihr starkes Debut "The Pylon Of Insanity" erschien 1994 bei Noise, doch trotz ausgiebiger Touren schlug das Scheibchen nicht besonders doll ein, und die Band wurde umgehend wieder gedroppt. Zwei Jahre spater erschien dann der nicht ganz so starke Nachfolger "Call of the Unborn" beim Milecrest-label, das allerdings schon bald danach seinen Betrieb einstellen musste. Wer weiss, ob sie heute noch aktiv ware, hatte die Band nicht in der Zwischenzeit ein paar Achtungserfolge in Japan feiern konnen.... Um etwaigen Stress mit Plattenfirmen zu umgehen, haben die Hollander diesmal Ihr eigenes Label gegrundet. Der dritte Longplayer knupft nun wieder an die starke Form des Erstlings an. HARROW konnen mit technisch anspruchsvollem, sehr melodischem Power Metal aufwarten, der manchmal an alte Vicious Rumors ('The Strength Of The Word'), gelegentlich auch an Nevermore ('Mother Of Disasters') erinnert, prima arrangiert und fett produziert wurde. Trumpfkarten sind dabei das phantasievolle GItarrenspiel von Harry Wijering, die kraftvollen Vocals von Frank van Gerwen und das Talent, das ubliche 08/15-Kompositionsraster galant zu umschiffen. Sogar ein Textkonzept hat man sich fur "Embrace The World" einfallen lassen. Da die Jungs hierzulande noch keinen Vertrieb fur ihr Label gefunden haben, gibt's das Teil vorlaufig nur beim Hellion-Mailordervertrieb, der das Ding hoffentlich fur eienen vernunftigen Preis anbietet.

Review by METAL HAMMER (GER) - Mathias Mineur (GERMAN)
HARROW - EMBRACE THE WORLD
Rating: 6/7
Die tatsache, dass Harrow uber zwei wirklich Uberragende talente verfugt, durfte sich mittlerweile Herumgesprochen haben Sanger Frank van Gerwen hat ein ahnlich markantes Organ wie Bruce Dickinson, Gitarist Harry Wijering, Fruher gitarrenroady bei Whitesnakes Adrian Vandenberg Ist ein Meister seiner zunft. Das neue album der Hollander entpuppt sich erneut als Spannende kombination aus powermetal, thrash, progressiven Elementen und einem krafttrotzenden sound, der so oder ahnlich auch auf der leider vollig unterbewerteten 96e SKUNKWORKS-veroffentlichung zu finden war. Sprich; Ein brillianter grenzgang zwischen ultraharten gitarren, wustem gebrull und intelligenten, sehr melodischen parts.

Review by THE FRENCH CONNECTION (FR) - (ENGLISH)
HARROW - EMBRACE THE WORLD
Rating: n/a
Harrow has already issued 3 albums ( a reissue in a new packaging of their debut album). Some were released by the famous Noise records' company (The pylon of insanity) following by a tour with Paul Di Anno (Killers, Maiden) & festivals with Gamma Ray, Iced Earth, Rage, some others were recorded by a subdivision of Mausoleum (Call the unborn). Now, the band is on a little company , Power records & HP music , a new Dutch label, but maybe it's time for now & for Harrow to become a major power metal act in the metal scene. This album is a real bomb! I've never heard about them before despite their 3 albums but "Embrace the world" is a pure masterpiece of power heavy metal. Remaining sometimes, the now famous Imagika, Harrow delivers powerful songs enriched with some new symphonic influences. Based upon a concept album on earth, these new influences were indispensable to spread the emotions that are transcribed in lyrics ( like Martin Luther King's I had a dream).A bit more melodic than Imagika, Harrow can also provide som efurious metal songs with both guitar harmonies & thrash riffs ("the strength of the word"). Another advantage for Harrow is to have a fantastic singer that can be both melodic & aggressive as Rob Halford. All these elements end a one of the best power metal album for 1999. This album can become a solid reference as it delivers high energetic songs with strong melodies. After listening to this album, I'm impatient to find their previous album.

Review by ALLES OP TIEN (NL) - A.B. (DUTCH)
HARROW - EMBRACE THE WORLD
RATING: n/a
Het lukt maar weinig bands om de grijze massa in de wereldwijde metalscene te ontstijgen. Daar waar wij de maatschappelijke discussie nog voeren of het klonen van mensen wel of niet mag, is het klonen van metalbands al toegestaan! Gevolg is dat er maar weinig originele bands evolueren. Gelukkig heeft het oosten van Nederland met het Losserse Harrow een van de weinige positieve uitschieters binnen haar regiogrenzen. Deze formatie heeft zich de afgelopen jaren weten te ontwikkelen tot een van de toonaangevende Nederlandse metalformaties. Hier mogen we best een beetje trots op zijn. Het album Embrace The World is het best te omschrijven als progressieve, sferische trashmetal met een ongewone boodschap. Het album bevat namenlijk een conceptverhaal waarin ons mensen steeds de vraag wordt gesteld waar het met onze wereld naar toe moet. Het een en ander wordt nogal kritisch benaderd. Het meest knappe van het album is dat het metal weet te vervlegten met rustieke sfeerimpressies. Dit maakt het geheel tot een zeer afwisselend klanklandschap. Ik kan aan het album allerlei superlatieven gaan hangen, maar het lijkt me verstandiger dat jullie hem zelf maar snel gaan aanschaffen. Harrow zal in mijn persoonlijke top 10 van 1999 zeer hoge ogen gaan gooien. Ik ben overigens wel benieuwd hoe de band dit album live zal gaan uitvoeren. Ik zal het tijdens de op handen zijnde toer zelf gaan bekijken. Tot slot spreek ik de hoop uit dat niemand het in z'n botte hoofd haalt om Harrow te gaan klonen.

Review by AARDSCHOK (NL) - Martien Koolen (DUTCH)
HARROW -EMBRACE THE WORLD
Rating: 85/100
Een Nederlandse heavy metalband die een conceptalbum maakt, dat is zeker uniek te noemen. Harrow doet het gewoon en het resultaat mag er zijn. Na een aantal natuurgeluiden barst het metalgeweld los in "The Sun", een nummer dat gekenmerkt wordt door weergaloos gitaarspel en retestrakke riffs. In "Nature's Cry" toont Harrow aan dat ze ook het rustigere werk beheersen. Hierna volgt het hoogtepunt: het meer dan zeven minuten durende "The Strength of the Word". Powervolle riffs en vooral veel melodie zijn de hoofdmoten van deze epische song. Ook Frank van Gerwen doet het als brulboei uitstekend en in "Life Dies Down" word je als luisteraar zelfs getrakteerd op een heuse saxsole. Afwisseling troef dus. Verder noememswaardig zijn het grandioze, instrumentale "Embrace The World", zes minuten lang genieten en het akoestische outro "Illusion Or Reality". Een gedurfd metalalbum, dat mij zeer goed bevalt. Ik neem mijn petje af voor Harrow. Zo moet metal klinken!!

Review by MUZIEKKRANT OOR (NL) - (DUTCH)
HARROW -EMBRACE THE WORLD
Rating: n/a
Harrow uit Losser levert alweer haar derde CD af. Goede powermetal, stevig geworteld in de late jaren '80, maar hier en daar (met name door de zang) ook helemaal van deze tijd. Vette dubbele gitaarmelodieen, de suggestie van een symfonieorkest in Life Dies Down, dit en nog veel meer maakt Embrace The World (0534-615965) tot een sterk album. Gitaristen Harry weijering en Erik de Boer tekenden voor de prima productie.

Review by METAL RULES (CN) - Geoff Waye (ENGLISH)
HARROW - EMBRACE THE WORLD
Rating: 4/5
Chances are many of you have not heard of Harrow despite the fact that they have been together since 1985!! However don't feel guilty, we never heard of them either. That's why we felt a short Q-n-A with vocalist Frank Van Gerwen was needed to enlighten us. Just who are Harrow anyway? "Harrow was founded in 1985 by guitarist Harry Wijering. Recently we finished recording a new CD for which you have the initial mix." This CD has not been released domestically yet. According to Frank "the band is negotiating with several companies to get the CD released." Frank also cleared up this - what's with Harrow (the band) versus Harrow Productions?? "Harry, the band's founder, owns and operates HARROW PRODUCTIONS, a recording studio in Holland. Harrow (the band) records their stuff there along with other bands that Harry produces." The band have recorded several other CD's So just where have you been these past years, who have you been playing with? "Harrow have played/toured with the likes of Killers (Paul Di'anno), Creep, Extreme Noise Terror, WC Noise, Running Wild, Rage, Gamma Ray, Iced Earth, Grave Digger and Fates Warning." Quite an impressive line-up!! Well enough of the history lesson...let's get onto the CD. Simply put Harrow are a power metal / traditional metal band. There's nothing Korny about this CD! Fans of bands like Iced Earth and Unleashed Power will lap this up. I suspect that the pathetic mainstream metal promoters in North America won't touch this even though there is an audience for this style of metal. Harrow's strength lies in their musicianship. You can immediately tell these guys have been playing for quite some time, no amateur stuff here! The riffing is at times as brutal as Machine Head with double kicks that are as good as any I've heard. Most of the songs don't stay as intense all the way through but are very varied with moody clean parts and abrasiveness. This is mirrored in the vocals as Frank is at home with clear high pitched singing as with more guttural sounds. All the while Harrow manages to sound progressive and doesn't lapse into noise. The fact that this band has become so great over the past 13 years and yet has remained unheard of in North America is a crime!!!! Be sure to check out their website and in the meantime check out this MP3 track from the forthcoming CD.