Sunstorm - Brothers In Arms (Album Review)

Sunstorm could also be called the "Italian melodic rock connection". The Italians and the Euros in general have a certain way of doing melodic rock. Mostly a project band, Sunstorm has gone though many different incarnations. In the early days, Dennis Ward produced the band and the sound was more like Journey or Asia. Original lead singer Joe Lynn Turner allegedly did not want to continue doing these projects for Frontiers Music. Rather than retiring the brand, the label decided to recruit Lords of Black singer Ronnie Romero who ironically has performed with Turner's old band Rainbow. 

The results after two albums is pretty impressive. Some believe that Sunstorm isn't Sunstorm without JLT. The problem with that sentiment, is that Sunstorm was always like Steely Dan. A studio band with different musicians and an in-house team of players devoted to making progressive melodic rock. On the band's latest effort "Brothers In Arms", Sunstorm takes steps both forward and backward. Embracing the earlier melodic AOR sound, while retaining some of the more harder rocking themes of the last few albums. A lot of the band's identity rests with Alessandro Del Vecchio who gets a lot of flack for being over-exposed and derivative of other bands and projects he's involved with. It's easy to be a critic when you have a bias and don't understand what is happening in the "world" of melodic rock. Which isn't really a world these days. Del Vecchio has taken melodic rock and hoisted it on his back. How he writes so much material and how he has this much energy should be the focus of the critics. 

Maybe Frontiers should scale back their output. The problem is they are one of maybe 3 or 4 record labels that are keeping this genre afloat. So when another melodic rock project band drops, the onlookers scoff even though the music is the relevant part. The question should be, is this music any good? The answer on "Brothers In Arms" is YES! 

The band's title track single is illustrative of the world before us. Del Vecchio is plugged in. He's not overtly political. He tends to want peace and unity in a world that is at war with itself. The music echoes a Deep Purple-Rainbow-Michael Schenker vibe. It's all there. The progressive keyboard fills. And new guitarist Luca Princiotta, who bends notes like a guitar warrior on the front lines. And how can you argue with Romero as the choice to lead this faction of non-compliant rock and roll dissidents? 

"Games We Play" channels Rainbow and Purple even more with robust guitar work and atmospherics that rock music has mostly abandoned. The video for the song is MTV quality or better. Frontiers actually spends some money on marketing which shows their dedication. Team Alessandro delivers another subdued yet captivating rocker on "I'll Keep Holding On" which somehow straddles rock radio and the top 40 world of 1982. Think "Street of Dreams" by Rainbow. For those who are tired of this guy's work, you really need to look inward and ask yourselves, who is better right now? The answer is nobody. 

"I Will Remember" sets up a nice groove with an MSG feel and Romero impressively transcending the ordinary vocal. "No Turning Back" duels between a fierce guitar riff and the old school keyboard sounds that Del Vecchio has been dabbling in as of late. The song is almost pomp but the barrage of organic matter makes it more Deep Purple on steroids than anything else. 

Acoustic guitars! They show up on "Back My Dreams" which recalls Vandenberg in the old days. Romero can channel any of these references with ease. The song is surprising real and important in the scheme of a mostly rampaging album.You might find yourself hitting repeat on this track. "Taste of Heaven" is another crossover beauty. It straddles melodic and progressive elements and again showcases Romero who by this point on the album has become a force of nature. Del Vecchio leans on the Hammond and you've got something really album rock and beautiful. 

"Lost In The Shadows Of Love" cleans the Deep Purple out of the rock and roll laundry. It's somewhat more generic but the keyboard and guitar parts are attention grabbers. "Hold The Night" is one of the best tracks on this record. The riff stands like a flare on the side of the road where all elements of this band set up shop and make some joyful noise. I love the keyboard sounds on this one. "Miracle" contains a big keyboard-guitar intro blast that has already won you over for the rest of the song. The headphones are fried at this point. But you still have to get through "Living Out of Fear". Lyrically the song is important in the days we live in. Musically a fitting uptempo ending to a really powerful and persuasive melodic rock album. 

For those who dismiss Alessandro and this record label, you really need to start listening to the music itself. And do it more than once. You will discover cutting edge, 21st century melodic rock with total reverence for what came before. This Sunstorm cannot be stopped.

Album Rating 9.6

Hydra Revitalizes The Toto Sound On "Point Break"

 

A new melodic rock band from Sweden. Again? Yes. Hydra's debut album Point Break is a melodic rock masterpiece from start to finish. The band is a cross between the breezy, earthy sound of bands like Toto, and the high energy of bands like Europe and Foreigner. The project is the brainchild of songwriter and multi-tasker Henrik Hedstrom who has been writing music in mass quantities for many years. Hedstrom was encouraged by drummer, producer Daniel Flores (Find Me, First Signal) to put his songs to good use. The result is a brilliant collection of sweet melodic rock.  Overall the band leans harder toward Toto than anything else, and the name of the band might be a tribute to Toto's Hydra era. "Stop The Madness" is a turbo charged proggy opener that is much different from the rest of the material. The lyrics are custom made for what the world has gone through over the past couple of years and might be a clarion call to leave humanity alone and get on with fixing the problems we face. 

"Bringing Down The Moon" follows down the path of light AOR beauty. The lush, smart production and the instantly radio ready groove is highly representative of what this album is all about. "No Lullaby" is a pristine 80's light rock masterpiece with more perfect harmonies and textures. Andi Kravljaca handles all vocals like a Joseph Williams in training. His voice is a perfect vehicle for these soaring songs. "Stay Awhile" has a bouncy fluent tempo along with crisp acoustic guitars and precise electric fills. The strength of these songs is remarkable. Most bands will do well to have one song of this caliber on an album. The guitar solos from Hedstrom are all packed with tasteful emotion. Flores adds the right dose of keyboard textures and you have a throwback sound that is fresh and enduring.

"Angela" continues the streak of captivating headphone bliss. "Forever My Love" is another light rock ballad with a great vocal blend that is both classy and memorable. "Never Be The Same" mixes a level of proggyness with the steady AOR template. There's just no shortage of great melody or vocal prowess on this album. "Doors of Love" settles into another tasty mellow groove. There is no filler on this record. It's either great or very great. "The Most Wanted", another terrific song, deep into this collection, continues the succession of nearly flawless songwriting. These songs are catchy, vibrant and well put together.

"Suspicious" is another lush soft rock song with a building chorus and powerhouse vocals. "Too Say Goodbye" is a beautiful duet between Kravljaca and female vocalist Elana Valente. Both relatively unknown quantities. But both amazing singers. I can't say enough about Hydra. Let's hope that this is more than just a project band. Any of these songs could be big hit singles on the radio. A near perfect album.

Album Rating 9.8