The band name may be a new one, but anyone who has been interested in hard rock will recognise everyone involved given this is the debut from singer Robin McAuley (McAuley Schenker Group), guitarist Reb Beach (Winger, Whitesnake), bassist Jeff Pilson (Foreigner, The End Machine, ex-Dokken), and drummer Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Mr. Big). Apparently, Frontiers’ President & Head of A&R, Serafino Perugino, wanted a project to show McAuley’s vocal prowess and discussed this with Pilson who ran with the idea. McAuley made his name with Grand Prix and Far Corporation before releasing three studio albums with Schenker, and his vocals have none of their power over the years. He still had the range and presence, able to hit the very high notes when he needs to.

The rest of the band are no musical slouches either, and Pilson has yet again been providing himself in the songwriting stakes (he also provides acoustic guitar and keyboards on this album). I saw him performing with Foreigner a few years ago and I came away mightily impressed that night, as I thought he was the standout on stage, and since then have kept a close eye on what he has been doing. He is still in Foreigner of course, but this album shows him moving the musical style much closer to the other band for which he is most well-known, Dokken. Beach brings some hard rock guitar to proceedings with some great flashes of style, and Matt Starr keeps it all together, and they have definitely delivered on the original premise as this is melodic hard rock album is a showcase for a great singer, but it is the backbone of hooks and musicianship which makes it what it is. Definitely one for all fans of the genre.

Rating: 8/10

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