Impera - Empire Of Sin Album Review

Impera are back!. If anyone out there liked the 2012 album ‘Legacy of Life’ or 2013s 'Pieces Of Eden' then hold onto your cowboy hats rock dudes and dudettes as the Jan release of ‘Empire of Sin’ sees the lads take their craft to another level.

 The whole band consists of solid musicians who have earned their wings through hard work with an impressive number of world-class stars over the years. Their combined CV reads as a who’s who in today’s rock. In various constellations they have played with Vinnie Vincent and Bruce Kulick from Kiss, Brian Robertson from Thin Lizzy, John Levén from Europe and many more. Guitarist Tommy Denander alone has played with almost everyone. His track record is jaw-dropping, having made solo albums with key members of Toto and performed on albums with Michael Jackson, Paul Stanley, Alice Cooper, Ricky Martin and Celine Dion. He is considered one of the world’s best session players and has contributed his axe work on an unsurpassed 2000+ albums. Yikes!!

Alfonzetti has been a sought-after voice for years with domestic success with Bam Bam Boys, Road To Ruin and Skintrade, as well as international stints with Red White & Blues, Scott Gorham from Thin Lizzy and British band Jagged Edge with whom he shared stages with the likes of Lita Ford, David Lee Roth, Vixen and Dan Reed. J.K. Impera himself can brag about having played with a number of KISS members, Graham Bonnet, John Corabi, to mention a few.

Impera is Latin for ‘ruler’.  Which probably accounts for the make-up being an influenced mix of Ming the Merciless and Darth Vader. Either that or he has a 12” cock!

‘Empire Of Sin’ kicks of with the positively barnstorming riff of ‘The Beast Is Dead’. Couple Alfonzetti’s dulcet tones to this groove and ‘The Beast…’ chugs along at a great pace. ‘Evil (Become A Believer) takes Impera into heavier territory. Considering the pedigree of the band, they have departed from a more melodic stance and gone full throttle for pulsating riffs and heavy rock with a huge H! Don’t Stops riff reminds me of classic Ratt, only Impera have one of rocks best voices in tow. ‘Hole In The Sky’ comes out of the Tony Iommi book of Sabbath riffs and in ‘End Of The World’, Impera go for their album signature tune. ‘Thunder In Your Heart’ isn’t a cover stab at the Farnham classic (some things should stay original). ‘Lights In The Sky’ has a riff that I expect JSS of Steel Dragon to pitch in with ‘Stand Up and Shooooootttttt!!!!!!’

Impera have come on leaps over ‘Legacy..’ and ‘Empire….’ deserves a listen by the rock community. Whilst not a classic, Impera are a truly talented bunch who know how to write and perform songs in the true words that define them…CLASSIC ROCK!

Score 83/100

Impera are…

J.K.Impera – Drums

Matt Alfonzetti – Vocals

Tommy Denander – Guitars

Mats Vassfjord - Bass

NIGHT RANGER announce special concert at London Islington O2 Academy, Thursday 12th March

Night Ranger; the critically acclaimed San Francisco hard rockin’ band, will play a special concert at the London Islington O2 Academy on Thursday 12^th March. The special London show is being treated as a rare and intimate, warm-up to their Hard Rock Hell AOR Festival appearance on Saturday 14^th March.

Islington O2 Academy tickets are available from 0844 249 1000, and Ticket Web, Eventim, Gigantic or See Tickets. VIP Experience Packages can be booked from Night Ranger’s Website.

Night Ranger will perform songs from their multi-platinum 1983 album Midnight Madness, which includes their hits “Sister Christian”, “When You Close Your Eyes” and “(You Can Still) Rock In America”, plus songs 2014’s “High Road” album.  They’ve sold over 17 million albums worldwide, performed over 2,500 concerts, and played with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, KISS, ZZ Top, Journey and Whitesnake.

NIGHT RANGER

LONDON, O2 ISLINGTON ACADEMY 

THURSDAY 12th MARCH 2015

Tickets: £20.00 / 24 Hour Box Office: 0844 249 1000

Book Online: Ticket Web, Eventim, Gigantic

or See Tickets

Doors: 7.00pm / Stage Time: 8.30pm

16 Parkfield Street, London, N1 0PS

www.o2academyislington.co.uk

See also album review here -

http://www.chesyrockreviews.com/2014/05/night-ranger-high-road-album-review.html

NIGHT RANGER – OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY

With 30+ years, more than 17 Million albums sold worldwide and over 2500 live shows performed, Night Ranger continues to rock.  It all started when five hard-rocking kids from the San Francisco Bay Area joined forces in the early 80’s to form Night Ranger. Like no other rock band, Night Ranger both epitomized and transcended the arena sound and style of that decade and beyond. Night Ranger is proof that powerful songs, plus accomplished musicians is the perfect formula for continued success.

Night Ranger has earned widespread acclaim and multi-platinum album status as they produced legendary hits such as “Sister Christian”, “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me”, “When You Close Your Eyes” and the anthemic “(You Can Still) Rock In America” - Songs that have significantly impacted popular culture and expanded the bands ever-growing fan-base. 

Over the years, the band’s music has made notable contributions to and been featured in many different areas of media and popular culture. Night Ranger’s songs can be heard in the Rock Band, Guitar Hero and Grand Theft Auto video games; Rock of Ages hit Broadway musical and feature film; the Oscar-Nominated film Boogie Nights, Friday the 13th, the Secret of My Success; TV Shows Glee, American Dad,Grey’s Anatomy, Parks & Recreation; JBL’s "Hear The Truth” campaign; and many more! 

Night Ranger is Jack Blades (bass guitar, vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums, vocals), Brad Gillis (lead & rhythm guitars), Keri Kelli (lead & rhythm guitars) and Eric Levy (keyboards). 

Sweet & Lynch - Only To Rise Album Review

Now I’m sticking my neck out with an ageism thing here. But I reckon that if, like me you were (and still probably are) a fan of 80s Hair Metal/AOR, and into bands such as Ratt, Dokken, Stryper, Black N Blue, Joshua, Twisted Sister, fluffy era Whitesnake etc etc, then you are probably in the 39-59 age bracket. Also if, like me, that the above rocked your world, then the coming together of (not only) Michael Sweet of Stryper, and George Lynch of Dokken, but throw in James Lomenzo (White Lion), and the magnificent Brian Tichy (Foreigner/WS/S.U.N.), then that chances are that you would need Tena for Men (and Lady), such is the underpant/knicker wetting prospect of this band coming together! Phew!

Once again Sweet Lynch is the brainchild of Serafino Perugino head of Frontiers Records. Sweet recalls, “He asked me to basically sing on this record and then I suggested producing it and co-wrote the songs with George”, continues the singer. “It’s an incredible combination of classic 70’s and 80’s”, tells Michael Sweet. “You will hear some flavors of Journey, Bad Company, Dokken, Van Halen and Stryper. James and Brian are amazing musicians. They tore it up. The drums and bass are just as impressive as the guitars. Everybody really delivered... The musicianship level on this is top notch. It sounds as if we were all in the studio playing together and we were not. Basically, George wrote some riffs about a minute to a minute and a half long. I wrote lyrics and melodies then arranged them. Then Brian and James came out and tracked the drums and bass, as well as some rhythm stuff. We then sent it back to George to add the guitars."

On first impression, is more akin to Lynch Mob than Dokken, but add in the unmistakable vocals of Sweet and its given a whole new dimension. Lynch has never probably had a singer so good alongside him (or 2000 miles away as they recorded this separately!) For the past few years Mr Sweet has been on somewhat of a roll, a very good solo album and an excellent Stryper album, and following it up with Only To Rise. It has a different dynamic to Stryper and isn’t an in yer face preachy album, but is a straight down the middle rock album.

'The Wish' sounds as if its straight off Michaels solo album INYS, as it has Sweet running thru the whole thing like a stick of ROCK! 'Dying Rose' sees more of Lynch’s influence as its straight out of the Lynch Mob school of rock. As the pace was building nicely, S&L throws in the quality ballad 'Love Stays'. 'Time Will Tell's' chorus shows just how good a voice Sweet has got. The quality remains high throughout the remaining songs, with 'Hero-Zero', 'Recover', 'Only To Rise' and 'September' in particular being the pick of the bunch.

'Only to Rise', really does rise above the parapet of a lot of mediocrity that’s out there. Melodic Rock is currently on a resurgence and it goes to show that some of the old guard can still mix it with the likes of HEAT, Eclipse, Vega, et al.

I have to say that Sweet and Lynch as individuals are a match made in heaven. It should not be a 2-man show as both Tichy and Lomenzo play their parts to the full. My only gripe? It should have a band name and not just the 2 name pullers here.

One seed to plant to you Serafino, can you please get on the blower to a certain Mr Ritchie Blackmore please and write him a blank cheque for a Rainbow reunion.

Score – 90/100

Sweet & Lynch are

Michael Sweet – Lead Vocals, guitars

George Lynch – Lead Guitars

James Lomenzo – Bass

Brian Tichy - Drums

Sweet & Lynch have made a lyric video for the 9/11 inspired track ‘September’ which can be viewed here: 

http://youtu.be/i5G5uzrYWXw, 

while an EPK featuring Michael and George discussing the project can be seen here: http://youtu.be/BPYIoe0fTqI.

CRR Interview with Alessandro Del Vecchio

Interview with Alessandro Del  Vecchio....

If you don’t know who Alessandro Del Vecchio is then shame on you! Singer, performer, writer and producer are just the main four talents. I’m guessing he is probably Italy’s best chainsaw juggler as well! He has been in Edens Curse, and is a current member of Hardline, and fronts his own band Edge Of Forever. When he's not performing, he is Serafino Perugiono’s (head of Frontiers Records) go to guy for producing, performing and writing. If you want to witness Ale covering all 4 of these bases bases, then look no further than Frontiers Jan release of Revolution Saints where he singly wrote 8 of the 12 songs and had a hand in writing the rest, produced the whole caboodle, performed as keyboardist and provided backing vocals. He even sung one on his own, the Journey-esque 'Way To The Sun.'

I caught Ale on a train ride home….

CRR – ‘Ciao Alessandro, I think I have lost count of the number of albums I’ve heard this year where you have had a presence. You don’t have to name them individually but exactly how many albums have you appeared on in 2014 as a producer, writer & performer?’

Alessandro Del Vecchio – ‘Well….let me think Paul…mmhh….I guess a lot:-) Surely this year has been crazily busy, but busy is good in this business.’

CRR – ‘I’ve changed my mind, please name them!!??’

ADV – ‘OUCH!!!! Moonland, L.R.S., Rated X, Three Lions, Bailey, Mother Road, Faithsedge, Ez Livin’ and more I guess.’

CRR – ‘How on earth do you get the time to do all of these things, your calendar must be rammed full?’

ADV – ‘Well. It’s tough but I am not able to say no. I’m in love with music and music is what keeps me alive. And also, I gotta add I work better under pressure:)’

CRR – ‘I suspect you have a very understanding partner?’
ADV – ‘Yes, I do.’

CRR – ‘What gives you the most satisfaction – writing, performing or producing?’

ADV – ‘All of them. I am easily annoyed if I do the same thing all over again. So shifting from one task to another makes me active and focused.’

CRR  - ‘Ive seen you a few times with the likes of Edens Curse / Hardline / Issa, and your voice is fantastic. Would you love to be more front of stage?’

ADV - ‘Sure I do. I’ve been singing on tour with Ian Paice of Deep Purple, Bernie Marsden of Whitesnake, Carmine Appice and with my own band Edge Of Forever. After the summer we will enter the studio with Edge Of Forever for our 4th album. That’s my vocal home. I’m also recording as a singer for 2 albums. One is a metal record and it’s kind of a nice challenge. Vocal parts are more like Russell Allen’s work on “The Damnation Game” than my usual melodic thing. The other one is with Domink Pfizer of Shakra. I also gotta add, I sing on a song on the forthcoming Revolution Saints record. The song is called “Way To The Sun” and Neal Schon of Journey plays a marvellous solo. I guess, you shouldn’t stop dreaming!’

CRR – ‘How did the tie in come to your Frontiers work? I guess the Italian melodic rock community is a tight knit one.’

ADV – ‘Well. I guess I knocked the door on the right time. We knew each other already as I did 2 albums with Edge Of Forever on MTM which was distributed by Frontiers back when MTM was a top label. I was looking for a label to work for and they were looking for a producer and songwriter.’

CRR – ‘I guess you cant say no to Serafino?’

ADV – ‘Serafino is great. I mean, our music would be dead without him and the people at Frontiers. How could I say no to the amazing works he makes me do? I owe him a lot. I respect him for he trusted my work and abilities and pushed me to be the producer I am today.’

CRR – ‘Out of all the above work you have done in 2014, which is the one thing that has stood out for you?’

ADV – ‘Writing, producing, recording, playing, singing and experience my top work ever with Revolution Saints. Being in the studio with Deen Castronovo, Jack Blades and Doug Aldrich is more than I could dream of. Not bad for an Italian:-)’
CRR – ‘What are your plans going into next year?’

ADV – ‘I’m in the studio now with Craig Goldy and Vinny Appice for Livin’ Out Loud, their new band. I’m actually completing writing the new Hardline record and we should start recording in spring if inspiration helps me on the last few touches on the song. In February we should start working on the new solo record by Ted Poley. I’m also producing the finest voice in metal which is gonna be awesome:-)'
CRR – ‘Despite being the hardest working man in ROCK, what is the one thing you would like to do as a performer/writer/producer?
Is there one person/band etc you would love to work with, or just one thing you would desperately love to achieve?

ADV – ‘Ok, Santa. Please let me enter a big act like Whitesnake or Foreigner, produce and write for Journey and be the guy who is taking Steve Perry back on a record. Hey, didn’t I say you shouldn’t stop dreaming?’ Or should that be Believing??

CRR - Any last message to the AOR community?

ADV - 'I would like to thank all of the people who supported me through the years buying my music and helping me being who I am today. My biggest challenge is to keep my love for music fresh and alive every day and be the guy who is gonna help people feel better with my music.'

So there you have it. Talented songwriter (His songs for Revolution Saints are the type of quality that Neil Schon would kill his cat for), great producer, in demand performer for keyboards and BVs, but most of all a truly great singer who deserves to be heard by many more. To top it all of, he is also one of the nicest, down to earth people I've had the privilege to ever meet. I wish him great success in 2015 and beyond