After the debacle of the House Of Lords’ infamous ‘Power And The Myth’ album, the last record to feature the main names from the band, it must have taken some luring to get Chuck Wright and Ken Mary back on board for this pseudo-HOL project.
As is the case with just about every project on the Frontiers label, it is another Alessandro Del Vecchio produced and co-written affair. I know there are many avoiding these projects now and some definitely need avoiding. But this is one of the better ones.
Yes, the production and large parts of the songwriting remain formulaic and very familiar, but the performances within certainly raise the bar here. Not to mention there’s some decent songs attached to this project.
A good part of what makes this album good is the work of Ken Mary. The added drum fills, the swagger around the songs and the precise percussion, especially with cymbal work is a pleasure to listen to.
The great Jimi Bell is also a major contributor. His rifftastic work doesn’t often get the credit it deserves and he’s the perfect fit here.
I wouldn’t call it a House Of Lords sounding project – despite the players and name – it remains another example of the label’s fondness for Euro-flavoured hard rock.
Vocalist James Robledo (Sinner's Blood) wouldn’t be my first choice for the kind of project. He reminds me of the ill-fitting Skills frontman Renan Zonta, except more likable. Again, it’s another Frontiers style quirk - that familiar raspy metal voice that they seem to gravitate towards. Guitarist Francesco Savino (False Memories) rounds out the band – House Of European’s is more accurate musical description. Robledo sounds best when he turns on the melody with his uncanny Jorn Lande impersonation at times.
Worth checking out of the description appeals.
And what is it with this ridiculous album credit that keeps popping up on the back covers of Frontiers releases - “A Project By Serafino Perugino”?
Talk about strocking one’s ego. Not even the legendary A&R man John Kalodner: John Kalodner inflicted that upon the artists he worked with.
“A Review By Andrew McNeice”
