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October 2024

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September 2024

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August 2024

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July 2024

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[ More Music Reviews ]

First Signal: Line Of Fire

Melodic Hard Rock/AOR

4.5/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 08.05.2019 | Released: 17.05.2019

When he's not busy fronting the legendary Canadian band Harem Scarem, vocalist Harry Hess finds time to add his voice to the First Signal project. Aligned once again with drummer and producer Daniel Flores, and a bevy of great songwriters, Hess and First Signal return with their third installment, Line Of Fire.

Harry Hess

Needless to say, Hess and First Signal continue to bear the torch of classic AOR melodic hard rock. You'll find the usual suspects: catchy rock songs built upon strong melodies, smooth vocal harmony, abundant rhythm and groove, a touch of light synths, vibrant guitar solos (from Michael Palace) and, of course, Hess's strong and melodic voice leading the way.

Mostly then, the songs of Line Of Fire are a mixture of classic rock and Harem Scarem. You'll find the impressive blend of hard rock and AOR accessibility with Born To Be A Rebel, Here With You, the arena ready A Million Miles, and the fast paced Falling. In the center of the album, Walk Through Fire, Never Look Back, and Line Of Fire turn more upon melodic hard rock, with the music and Hess' voice sounding much more assertive. Conversely, and somewhat surprisingly, there's only one true rock ballad, the lighter yet still rising, The Last Of My Broken Heart. Once again, Line Of Fire is another fine and entertaining album of classic AOR melodic hard rock from vocalist Harry Hess and First Signal. Easily recommended.

Smoulder: Times of Obscene Evil and Wild Daring

Traditional Heavy/Doom Metal

4.0/5.0

Canada's Smoulder wins this year's award for the most interesting and longest album title. But Times of Obscene Evil and Wild Daring took some time in coming ... [ Read More ]

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

Line Of Fire is another fine and entertaining album of classic AOR melodic hard rock from vocalist Harry Hess and First Signal. 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 ]