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Artist: Hardline |
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One of the most anticipated
returns in 2002 were Hardline with their second album simply entitled
'II', who subsequently simply rocked as headliners at the Gods Of
AOR Festival in Bradford that same year.
Fast-forward to 2009 and the band return again with another much anticipated release which see's Johnny Gioeli, Josh Ramos, Michael T Ross, Jamie Brown and Atma Anur return, not only with a new line-up but with a new album entitled ‘Leaving The End Open' as well. Gioeli has a wonderful vocal range and was actually my 'Vocalist Of The Year' last year following his great performance on Axel Rudi Pell’s 'Tales Of The Crown' album. Here on the new Hardline album he once again shows his Melodic Rock credentials with yet another stunning vocal performance. The album itself is pure Melodic Rock and one which will sure be an instant hit with the die hard fans of the genre. As things get underway with ‘Voices’ with Gioeli at the helm with his great harmonies alongside Ramos’s fine guitar work. This track screams pure Melodic Rock from the off. This same fine Melodic vibe is continued with the excellent ‘Falling Free’. A real heart warmer which showcases Gioeli at his melodic best and with Ramos holding the fort with some great guitar work, you quickly forget Schon and hail the new guitar god Ramos! Instrumentally you simply couldn’t ask for a finer line-up and this quality doesn’t happen on an album everyday. The album continues with ‘Start Again’, a great mid tempo ballad that just oozes class, then it’s the more rockier vibe of ‘Pieces Of Puzzles’, which for me is where Gioeli really gives us a taste of the class vocalist he really is, as he mixes a harder vibe with some tender moments. Something not a lot of vocalists can handle. Again the guitar work of Ramos is simply superb on this one. The more ballad type vibe continues with ‘Bittersweet’ before the great ‘She Sleeps In Madness’, one of my personal favourites from this great album. A song that has a great dark melodic vibe to it and one that really marks the return of the band to a more modern sounding melodic rock. Purist’s of the whole Melodic Rock genre will be in raptures with the great ballad ‘In This Moment’. No finer a track will you hear this year. The stunning piano keyboards of Ross will soften even the hardest of hearts. For those of you who like me like a little more harder edge to your Melodic Rock then you’re gonna love ‘Give Into This Love’. This is where Ramos and Gioeli really shine as a partnership with the vocals and guitars in perfect harmony and that why this is my favourite track off this superb album But the album is quite finished yet as it heads back to the bread and butter style of the Melodic Rock genre with ‘Before This’. Again with Ramos showing what a great guitar player he is as his towering solo’s really ignite this song. Things get a little funky
with ‘Hole In My Head’, a real slow burner that reeks of class, then
it’s on to the final and title track ‘Leaving The End Open’.
A slow gentle ballad to end things off, which is where Gioeli shows his
vocal prowess once more and rounds off a great Melodic Rock album.
This will surely get the big thumbs up from the bands fans worldwide so
let's hope it's not seven years before we get Hardline IV!
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| Tracklisting:
1. Voices
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