An unusual album this, but that’s typical of Escape Music. They have a long history of uncovering albums that fit the genre, but operate outside expectations….and deliver quality melodic rock.
It’s always good to hear new twists on an old format.
Epic are a mix of Canadian, American and Lebanese musicians. Quite something that! The 4 piece is fronted by the powerhouse vocalist Tanya Rizkala, whose deep raspy voice has quite a range and should impress fans of female fronted outfits like Dante Fox, Saraya, Witness and Heart.
Musically you can take those acts and add some swagger that isn’t a world away from Mr. Big and Winger, but with a lighter AOR touch.
This is a hard rock album in part (All I Need and Nah Nah Nah which book end the album) and melodic rock in others (the anthemic brilliant Love Will Find A Way and Like A Phoenix) and then there’s the pure AOR of the lovely ballad I Can Take You which leads into several slow-to-mid tempo ballady tracks through the middle, including the acoustic Sleepless and the dreamy My Everything.
What starts out as a pretty rocking album heads quickly into mid-tempo AOR, which isn’t a bad thing as the songs and the vocals in particular are quality – it just isn’t what I expected based on the artwork and the opening couple of tracks.
Epic do however, deliver something different for fans of female fronted melodic rock and the strength of the production and songwriting is worthy of investigation.
