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A Place Called Rage: A Place Called Rage

(Melodic) Hard Rock

4.0/5.0

Website (Label)
Escape Music
by Craig Hartranft,  08.02.2012

The one-off project A Place Called Rage was created in 1995 to record an album representing the Long Island (NY) sound. Following the LA sound of the Eighties and the Seattle 'grunge' sound of the early Nineties, four musicians wished to capture the sound of another musical hotbed. These musicians were Al Pitrelli (g) (Alice Cooper, Megadeth, Trans Siberian Orchestra, Asia, Savatage), Tommy Farese (v) (Trans Siberian Orchestra), Danny Miranda (b) (Blue Oyster Cult, Queen with Paul Rodgers), and Chuck Bonfonte (d) (Saraya). It's a bit sketchy if there was ever an album released. However, Escape Music offers a fully remastered 24-bit recording. Nice.

It might be best to describe the 'Long Island' sound of APCR as hard rock, gritty and raw, with melody and a touch of blues. Some of that rawness likely comes from the fact that the recording was done quickly, in one week, with songs often recorded in one take with no overdubs. It's a credit to the musicians that this album sounds this good. At times, their sound reminds me of early, somewhere in the Seventies, Brit rock. This is notable on Take It Lying Down or Can't Find My Way Home. Perhaps, as on that latter song, it's because vocalist Tommy Farese reminds of Rod Stewart. Other top tracks include Trapped, the heavy rocker Thunderbox and the very catchy, lyrically clever, title track.

Overall, this is a classy album of authentic American hard rock, that transcends any particular sound from any specific region. Recommended.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

A Place Called Rage is a classy album of authentic American hard rock, that transcends any particular sound from any specific region. Recommended.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]