Redemption all-round here! Harry Hess takes greater control over the First Signal project, the fifth album for the name, just one of the many Frontiers ‘project bands’, and instant rewards are reaped.

The last album ‘Closer To The Edge’ was as bland as they come. No spark and no energy, so Harry tells me he took far more control over this album, co-writing the songs and choosing the heavier direction. Daniel Flores is out and a trio of Italians come in.

The new team behind the music have delivered an album to rival the energy of the first two records. One thing that they do deliver which really took me by surprise, is a killer drum sound – really punchy and a hard-hitting performance which matches the energy of the songs, in fact, this is one of the heavier albums I have heard Harry sing in his career.

I have no idea who produced the album, as the press release and bio only covers the band up until the last album. There’s no actual info about this album at all. But credit to whoever it is.

It’s obviously not Harem Scarem in style, but it does have the great vocals of Mr. Hess, really going for it at his outer limit for range and rasp, yet still plenty of hooks and harmonies for everyone.

A great melodic hard rock record I’m pleased to say. Night and day compared to the energy and quality of the last record.