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Radiant: Radiant
Radiant 2018 Self-titled Debut Album Music Review

Radiant: Radiant

Melodic Hard Rock
4.0/5.0

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Massacre Records
Released: 09.11.2018
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 31.10.2018

Germany has always been a hotbed for classic hard rock. The country's latest export is Radiant, formed in 2014 by singer Herbie Langhans (Voodoo Circle, Avantasia), guitarist Flo Gottsleben, and bass player Markus Beck The latter two players are both from the now defunct Seventh Avenue. Radiant drops their debut album for Germany's Massacre Records label.

Radiant Band Photo Click For Larger Image

Radiant

The Seventh Avenue reference may be a good place to start. Radiant essentially delivers the same familiar classic melodic hard rock with a bit of a metal edge. The band offers all the proper elements of the genre including an emphasis upon melody and harmony, notably in the guitar and vocal arrangements, but also from catchy refrains and killer guitar solos. The metal edge comes mostly from the sharp riffs and heavy bottom end that can fill some songs. For his part, Mr Langhans adds a strong and passionate vocal presence, singing both melodic and somewhat raspy. Yet, Radiant seems to focus upon one thing, creating songs, hard and heavy or not, that simply rock. They do this by offering deliberate rock rhythm and groove, wrapped in accessible AOR melody and harmony.

And they do this also by hitting you with a debut album of 14 songs over 60 minutes. Yeah. You read that right. You definitely get your Euros worth of tunes with album. You have some fine and catchy rockers with Yes I Am, I'm Alive, You Rock, Heroes, and Hit The Night. Then Radiant can dial it back somewhat with the heavy and steady anthem to Dorian Gray. Traditional anthemic ballads arrive with My Own Way and the bit stronger Paint The Grey.

Overall, Radiant's debut is a solid, if not overly long, album of traditional and classic melodic hard rock. For a more succinct presentation, the recording could have been trimmed in length by four or five songs without diminishing its musical impact. Otherwise, recommended.


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The Bottom Line

Radiant's debut is a solid, if not overly long, album of traditional and classic melodic hard rock. For a more succinct presentation, the recording could have been trimmed in length by four or five songs without diminishing its musical impact. Otherwise, recommended.

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