Khymera - Hold Your Ground (Album Review) Frontiers Music Srl

Khymera first began as a melodic rock vehicle for former Kansas vocalist Steve Walsh. The project band began in 2005 and has continued off and on up until this most recent offering. Dennis Ward took over on vocals after Walsh departed the scene. Each one of the albums have had at least a handful of high quality, radio ready melodic rockers. American radio programmers have no interest in this type of music anymore. It's up to the diehard fans to spread the word when a new album drops. 

"Hold Your Ground" is a very focused project that will take the listener back to the 80's rock radio format. Ward's lead vocals are smooth and powerful. The material is as good as any of the prior releases. The first song from this collection "Don't Wait For Love" is a classic with a poweful drum sound and a first listen long lasting big impression. Next is the first single "Firestarter". It glides in loaded with passion and melodrama. There is a side to this music that is somewhat progressive and unpredicable. Michael Klein's guitar work is more gritty than the band's other offerings. The layered vocals, atmospheric choruses and big drum sound are all great workout mechanisms for a good quality stereo system. Veteran keyboardist Eric Ragno is consistently adding the perfect frosting for the Khymera cake. Dennis Ward's bass playing coupled with drummer Michael Kolar give the rythmn section some added punch. 

"Here Me Calling" is part power ballad and part heavier rocker. The twists and turns within the melody make this track and equal to the first single. These are well written songs both lyrically and musically. Klein's guitar solos are eloquent and to the point. Ragno's keyboard intro to "Sail On Forever" adds a hint of prog to a very memorable building hook. Ward's vocals might be his best ever for a Khymera project. It would be nice if these guys took this show on the road! "Our Love Is Killing Me" is a beautiful power ballad with an organic piano sound underneath a soaring Ward who really channels both Steve Perry and Joe Elliot. It's like Def Journey with a hint of Alias or Guiffria. 

"Hear What I'm Saying" rocks out with stellar guitar work that weaves in and out of a passionate vocal. Dennis Ward's higher notes are on par with Paul Stanley in his prime. "Believe In What You Want" feels like an instant hit single, if that is even possible these days. Choppy little guitar hooks and a solid bass line and the ideal chorus about that universal billion downloading idea - believing! "On The Edge" features Ragno's pallette of keyboard sounds and a galloping guitar from Klein. These guys take the melodic rock art form to new heights. Everything is tight and moves along without anything too self indulgent. 

"Could Have Been Us" is another radio caliber song with a cold start followed by a slew of guitar moves. The melody and the story of city hall is a bit of a curve ball lyrically. The background vocals are on point. "Runaway" begins with Ward's naked vocal and Klein's riff work. It evolves into another very unique sounding track that is like punky progressive melodic rock. "Am I Dreaming" rounds out this very impressive collection of songs with the same high quality hook making and songwriting. All of these tunes are FM rock radio bangers and deserve to be heard.

I've listened to all of the Khymera albums and I own two of them and this one is the best out of the bunch. This feels like next level Khymera. This album is a must have for 2023. 

(Album Rating 9.7)