• New Music Reviews
• |
• Archives
• |
• News
• |
• Submissions
• |
• About
• |
• 
• |
• 

October 2024

• Frost*: Life In The Wires
• Aries Descendant: From The Ashes Of Deceit
• Fans Of The Dark: Video
• Radioactive (Tommy Denander): Reset
• House Of Lords: Full Tilt Overdrive
• Cleanbreak: We Are The Fire

September 2024

• Sinner's Blood: Dark Horizons
• Serious Black: Rise Of Akhenaton
• Eclipse: Megalomanium II
• SteelCity: Reverence
• Hydra: ReHydrated
• Heartwind: III
• Gabrielle De Val and the Dragonlords: Tiger
• Find Me: Nightbound
• The Nail: The Nail
• Timeless Fairytale: A Story To Tell
• Stryper: When We Were Kings
• Phil Mogg: Moggs Motel
• Pure Reason Revolution: Coming Up To Consciousness
• Jordan Rudess: Permission To Fly

August 2024

• Siege Perilous: Creation's Call EP
• Paralydium: Universe Calls
• Mike Tramp: Songs Of White Lion Vol. II
• Bite The Bullet: Looking For Paradise
• All For Metal: Gods Of Metal (Year Of The Dragon)
• Hammerfall: Avenge The Fallen
• Jim Peterik & World Stage: Roots & Shoots Vol. 2

July 2024

• Ironflame: Kingdom Torn Asunder
• Spektra: Hypnotized
• (Michael) Palace: Reckless Heart
• Mr. Big: Ten
• Dark Mile: Dark Mile

June 2024

• Kaipa: Sommargryningsljus
• Sunbomb: Light Up The Sky
• Seven Spires: A Fortress Called Home
• Atlantic: Another World
• Xeneris: Eternal Rising
• New Horizon: Conquerors
• Issa: Another World

May 2024

• Rhapsody Of Fire: Challenge The Wind
• Cloven Hoof: Heathen Cross
• Perseus: Into The Silence
• Yes: Talk (1994/2024) Reissue
• Marty Friedman: Drama
• Demon: Invincible
• The Treatment: Wake Up The Neighbourhood
• The Tangent: To Follow Polaris
• Riot V: Mean Streets
• Anette Olzon: Rapture
• FM: Old Habits Die Hard

[ More Music Reviews ]

Radiation Romeos: Radiation Romeos

Melodic Hard Rock/AOR

4.5/5.0

Website (Label)
Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 31.05.2017

The roots of Radiation Romeos go back to the early Eighties when founder Parramore "Perry" McCarty was the first singer for LA heavy metal band Warrior. Through three lengthy stints he stayed with band, recently leaving Warrior in 2014. Dropping back once more to the Eighties, McCarty was the vocalist for guitarist Steve Steven's (Billy Idol) first solo album, Atomic Playboys which, in turn, provides the inspiration for the name of McCarty's new band.

Radiation Romeos

McCarty and Radiation Romeo don't stray to much from his past nor his musical affiliations. The Radiation Romeos sound is essentially melodic hard rock with a metal edge, and often with a solid AOR vibe. For his vocals, McCarty has clean melodic delivery, sometimes a bit raspy and sometimes with a little metal screamo pitched in. Musically, the songs move on melody and harmony, and plenty of rhythm and rich rock groove, with catchy refrains. Guitarist Dag Heyne (Doc Heyne) lays down some terrific solos throughout.

As for the songs, there's a good variety for your interest. More metal-edged hard rockers come with Bad Bad Company, Mystic Mountain, and On The Tight Rope. If you toss in Monstertraxx, you'll notice how Radiation Romeos blur the distinction between metal and hard rock, and you may catch a subtle blues groove underneath. Alternatively, Radiation Romeos is a song that twists in that aforementioned AOR groove for heavy metal rock n roll. Something warmer and lighter comes with the ballad, Like An Arrow, featuring some nice acoustic guitar. Similar is the song Ocean Drive, where light piano leads into some West coast AOR breeze and groove. I guess you can never take southern California out of an LA boy. Another song of interest is Castaways. Something of melodic metal anthem it begins with a slick piano line, then moves by its melody, groove, and strong vocal arrangement.

Fundamentally, what sells the Radiation Romeos debut album is the terrific songwriting that neatly blends melody and harmony of AOR melodic hard rock with the edge of melodic metal. Hopefully, this will not be a one-off project and more will follow. Easily 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.

What sells the Radiation Romeos debut album is the terrific songwriting that neatly blends melody and harmony of AOR melodic hard rock with the edge of melodic metal. Hopefully, this will not be a one-off project and more will follow. Easily recommended.

Alphabetical Index

By far, Sweden's Eclipse is one of my favorite bands. Always consistent and always entertaining, Eclipse has been delivering their 21st century version of melodic metal rock since songwriter, producer ... [ Read More ]