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Hideaway: Hideaway
Hideaway 2019 Debut Album Music Review

Hideaway: Hideaway

Melodic Hard Rock/AOR
5.0/5.0

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Lions Pride Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 28.09.2019 | Released: 30.09.2019

Formed in Athens by guitarist Dinos Georgiou and keyboardist Peter Papadimatos, Hideaway has been a developing band project since 2010. While songwriting was progressing, personnel recruitment, especially in the vocal position, was an ongoing thorn in their quest to form a full band, cut an album, and those songs out to the masses. Finally, the duo opted to hire a professional session singer in Manos Fatsis, and then hit the studio. Hideaway introduces their self-titled debut album in 2019, now signed to Denmark's Lions Pride Music label.

No Band Photo Provided by Artist or Label

Frankly, and to the point: I liked everything about Hideaway and their debut album. If you love classic AOR accessible melodic hard rock, you will enjoy this album. Hideaway has all the proper musical ingredients, and in the proper proportion: twin guitar harmony with blazing solos, ambitious synths for atmosphere and embellishment, and a steady rhythm section to lay down a solid hard rock beat and groove. Additionally, Fatsis is an exceptional and versatile vocalist, singing clean and melodic with fine, effortless range. Of all these elements, I found the strong guitar work and terrific vocals the most compelling.

(Apparently, after visiting their Facebook page, Hideaway has hired a female vocalist to replace Fatsis when performing live. Honestly, I think this was a huge mistake. I find it difficult to imagine a female vocalist singing these songs.)

As for some song highlights, it's enough to say they're all rather fandamntastic, not a runt in the litter. Alternatively, I would also propose that the songs are probably too long, and could have been pared back by 30 to 45 seconds for a tighter presentation. Nevertheless, the tunes our ambitious, catchy, and entertaining. For some songs with sharp guitar starts, in riffs or leads, listen for Promises, Calling You, Lonely Nights, or Unknown Hero. For the track Another Day, riffs over a big drum beat propel a heavier melodic rocker. With the song Hideaway, the band gets their AOR groove going with a rising arena anthem. Later, with Road To Nowhere, Hideaway trips you up. With the voice and piano start you think a traditional ballad is coming. Not quite. The song soon rises with thrilling guitar line into rising and strong rock anthem. For a debut album, Greece's Hideaway has hit the ball out of park, offering a fine and entertaining platter of classic, AOR friendly, melodic hard rock. Get it. Recommended.


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The Bottom Line

For a debut album, Greece's Hideaway has hit the ball out of park, offering a fine and entertaining platter of classic, AOR friendly, melodic hard rock. Get it. Recommended.

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