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Freight Train: I
Freight Train - I CD Album Review

Freight Train: I

AOR Melodic Hard Rock
4.0/5.0

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Rockshots Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 05.07.2017

Rimini Italy, a popular vacation destination for many Italians, boasts the largest beach resort on Adriatic Sea. It's also the home to Freight Train, a new AOR melodic rock band. Formed in 2015, they got some Internet attention via YouTube for their cover of Journey's Any Way You Want It. Now they release their first album, aptly titled I for Rockshots Records.

Freight Train Band Photo

Freight Train

The Journey reference is notable one for Freight Train, perhaps with a little Toto tossed in. Essentially, the band knows the AOR formula, that combination of tight melodies, strong vocal and guitar harmonies, slick guitar solos, cathy refrains, keyboards for accent and atmosphere, and steady groove from the rhythm section. But this first album is also a short one too, ten songs just over 31 minutes. Actually there's only six new vocal songs, seven if you count the acoustic version of Into The Fire.

There's a short instrumental intro to start, called The Beginning. It must have taken the band hours to come up with title. This is followed by three solid rockers: You Won't Fall, Into The Fire, and Another Chance. You Won't Fall has some of that Toto vibe in the synths, but also sounds like an AOR version of a Supreme Majesty song. Watch the video below. Into The Fire has some sharper riffs, giving it a near metal edge. Another Chance turns on a large vocal arrangement, some intermittent light piano, and hooks from sharp guitars. In the center of the album are two ballads, the bit heavier Here I Am and the arena ready Somewhere Someday with a sweet refrain and soaring guitar solo. The instrumental The Prelude, a nice acoustic number, precedes the last original song, a tight metal-edged rocker Reach For The Stars. The album rounds out with the Journey cover and the acoustic version of Into The Fire. The Journey cover is well done, perhaps even the most enthusiastic performance on the album, but it doesn't make me miss the original. I've included the video below as well. Perhaps the most significant downside to this album is that the production seems muted, especially in the lead vocals.

Suffice to say, Freight Train's I is fine, if not modest, start for this young band. They deliver the AOR melodic rock goods with skill and style with an entertaining result. Recommended.




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The Bottom Line

Freight Train's I is fine, if not modest, start for this young band. They deliver the AOR melodic rock goods with skill and style with an entertaining result. Recommended.

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