Normally anything with the name Magnus Karlsson attached to the credits would be an instant blind purchase. No questions asked! His output with Allen/Lande, Codex, Starbreaker and his own Free Fall project has been nothing short of exemplary.
Now we have The Ferrymen, a project with vocalist Ronnie Romero (Lords Of Black, Rainbow), together with drummer Mike Terrana.
I struggled with this from day one. And I kept at it because its Mangnus Karlsson right? But it didn’t take. Now after a month without listening, I’m again playing at maximum volume and really soaking up that monster guitar and rhythm section Magnus so easily delivers.
But the vocals still aren’t doing it for me. I’m used to a warmer, more melodic tone to accompany Magnus’ work. But more pointedly – I’m really still failing to connect with the songs themselves.
The opening bombastic anthem End Of The Road is cool; Still Standing Up has a good vocal melody and the ballad One Heart certainly has impact.
Tracks like Darkest Hour have the ingredients there, but just don’t have the warmth of past material.
The songs just aren’t there and the vocals leave me cold I’m afraid to say. There’s no issue at all with the musical performances or production, it is just a project that looked good on paper, but failed to deliver in reality.
Art Of Melody Music & Burning Minds Music Group are excited to announce the release date for the self-titled album by Italian melodic rockers AIRBOUND, scheduled for release on September 15, 2017 via Art Of Melody Music / Burning Minds Music Group in Europe, and in October via AnderStein Music in Japan.
Airbound represents their love of classic AOR and melodic rock music, shown through ten splendid tracks influenced by the likes of Journey and Survivor, but updated with a more contemporary and personal sound. To ensure brilliant studio performances and also an international dimension to their debut, Airbound involved in it as special guests the likes of Sven Larsson (Street Talk, Raintimes, Room Experience), Davide "Dave Rox" Barbieri (Wheels Of Fire, Raintimes, Charming Grace, Room Experience), Mario Percudani (Hungryheart, Shining Line, Ted Poley, Axe) & Josh Zighetti (Hungryheart, Charming Grace), who brought their experience and technical skills in order to perfectly complete a smart and focused melodic rock album.
The video of the first single "Till The End" is now finally available on YouTube.
The debut album has been produced by the band itself with the support of sound engineer Oscar Burato, who also mixed and mastered all the tracks in his Atomic Stuff Studio located in Isorella (BS - Italy). All graphics (including the alternative japanese cover artwork) have been designed by Aeglos Art (Viana, Charming Grace, Room Experience, Raintimes), and cd booklet features liner notes by Denis Abello, editor in chief of leading italian rock website Melodicrock.it. "Airbound" also represents the welcome return on the scene of singer Tomás Borgogna, already known in the underground melodic rock circles for his frontman role in Borgogna's "Something To Lean On", released back in 2010 by Steelheart Records. Airbound's first studio effort promises to appeal to classic melodic rock lovers, with brilliant melodies, winning hooks, pompous keyboards, and solid production. Their skilled musicianship brings a return to the great melodic rock sound of the golden years with style, panache, and indomitable passion.
Airbound Line-up:
Tomás Borgogna: Lead & Backing Vocals
Lorenzo Foddai: Guitar & Backing Vocals
Angelo Sasso: Bass & Backing Vocals
Alessandro Broggi: Keyboards & Backing Vocals
Riccardo Zappa: Drums & Percussion
Album Tracklist:
01. Have A Good Time
02. The Sun Tomorrow
03. Till The End
04. You Live & You Learn
05. Don't Fade Away
06. Zhaneta
07. Runaway
08. Wasted World
09. She's A Girl
10. Seven Seas
11. Till The End (Cinematic Version - Japanese Bonus Track)
I like the idea of World Trade. The debut was a bit of a prog-AOR classic, but I can barely recall the second release. Unify is #3 and their first with Frontiers.
You’d expect the lineup of Billy Sherwood (bass and lead vocals) along with Unruly Child's Bruce Gowdy – guitars and Guy Allison – keyboards and session superstar Mark T. Williams – drums, would hands down nail it without even thinking. But not so.
This album is just untidy. The production is really quite hollow with almost no drum sound – it’s all keyboards and bass, plus I’m struggling to appreciate Billy Sherwood’s vocals. They sound unnatural and quite strained compared to past efforts.
An appreciation of progressive music is not the issue here. I love a lot of prog-AOR/melodic rock – especially the new Threshold, which is in high rotation.
The main issue here (besides the sound) is the lack of great songs. I simply don’t think many of these go anywhere. The title track Unity is an improvement and the track that follows For The Fallen is ok too.
Lifeforce and the opening track The New Norm are good examples of a decent idea poorly executed. There’s just no flow within the songs.
Dedicated prog fans might get something more out of this, but I will defer to my popular recent conclusion – that is with a crowded marketplace, any album that doesn’t stand out is going to get lost and this is one of those albums.
Unlikely I’ll ever play this again now the review process has finished. I really didn’t get any enjoyment from it.
Escape Music pleased and have the greatest pleasure to announce the release of the unreleased Target third album featuring the late Jimi Jamison - lead and background vocals, Tommy Cathey -bass guitar and background vocals, Buddy Davis - guitars, Paul Cannon - guitars, Bill Marshall - drums and Gary Topper - saxophone on Love Magician.
Recorded fall of 1979. Produced by Target and Engineer, John Hampton
Australian melodic hard rock band The Radio Sun will release their fourth full length album ‘Unstoppable’ on October 20.
Vocalist Jase Old and guitarist Stevie Janevski have written a bunch of new catchy, well constructed melodic rock songs with the guidance of producer Paul Laine (solo, Dark Horse, The Defiants).
Lush vocals and soaring solos are a big part of the band’s sound, further enhanced by bassist Anthony Wong and drummer Gilbert Annese. Andy Shanahan of Australian AOR favourites Roxus is a special guest on the forthcoming new album 'Unstoppable'. The Radio Sun guitar player Stevie Janevski goes on to say, "it's awesome to have Andy play keyboards on a song and be a part of our new album. Roxus were by far the best AOR band Australia has had - a real honour!"
The Radio Sun will launch the new album by touring Japan, Europe and U.S.A over the next 12 months with another special performance at Hard Rock Hell AOR Fest 2018.
The Radio Sun - Unstoppable album is mixed by Paul Laine and shall be released on October 20 via Pride and Joy Music Germany, Anderstein Music Japan and locally in Australia directly via the band. *Pre order packages for the new album will be available shortly.
