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Daniel Gazzoli Project: Night Hunter
Daniel Gazzoli Project Night Hunter CD Album Review

Daniel Gazzoli Project: Night Hunter

Melodic Hard Rock
4.5/5.0

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Street Symphonies Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 08.12.2016

This may be a short review. Why? I know very little about guitarist and composer Daniel Gazzoli and his Daniel Gazzoli Project. There's no biography on his personal Facebook page or the Project's page. Press material from Atomic Stuff Promotion isn't very forthcoming either. I know he's from Italy. That's something. Suffice to say, for his debut album Night Hunter, PR material describes the Gazzoli sound as classic Eighties melodic hard rock with influences from Dokken, Ratt, Whitesnake, Bon Jovi, and House Of Lords.

Daniel Gazzoli Photo

Daniel Gazzoli

That last sentence basically reveals everything. But you know I always have more to say, at least by elaboration. First, and most obviously, this is a guitar centered album. Gazzoli's riffs and leads essentially hold sway over everything. At times sharp and assertive, the riffage give his melodic hard rock a definite metal edge. Additionally, he can really rip up the fret board natural to neo-classical shredding. Gazzoli has a natural talent for delivering fiery leads.

Perhaps more importantly, Gazzoli is pretty good song writer and composer. While the songs pivot on his guitar, they also turn on melody, harmony, and groove with catchy refrains, then wrapped up in AOR accessibility. Gazzoli has found a fellow muse in vocalist Leonardo Guillan, who has both an melodic and assertive side to his voice that meets Gazzoli's riffage and rises above them. He easily carries the melody and harmony within each song while maintaining strength and control.

As for the songs, they pretty much rush from the gate, only slowing down here and there. Listening to Night Hunter and Forged By The Pain at the start, Run in the middle, or the epic and sizzling The Beat Of My Heart, Gazzoli seems to have a hidden desire to play speed metal. That last song finds vocalist Guillan on fire. Yet other songs are more moderately paced such as Heartblame, Don't Leave Me Alone, or Liar, which reveals Gazzoli's AOR roots in the melody and vocal arrangement.

All in all, Night Hunter is solid and entertaining debut from Daniel Gazzoli. He nails the total Eighties melodic hard rock vibe and, at the same time, delivers some exciting and inspired guitar work within well-crafted songs. Hopefully, this is not a one-off project, and he'll be back with more. Very recommended.

Daniel Gazzoli Project - Heartblame


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The Bottom Line

All in all, Night Hunter is solid and entertaining debut from Daniel Gazzoli. He nails the total Eighties melodic hard rock vibe and, at the same time, delivers some exciting and inspired guitar work within well-crafted songs.

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