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Restless Spirits: Restless Spirits
Restless Spirits - 2019 Debut Album Tony Hernando Music Review

Restless Spirits: Restless Spirits

Melodic Heavy Metal Rock
4.5/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 15.05.2019 | Released: 17.05.2019

It's not uncommon for musicians who have a standing gig with a band to have a side hustle. Lords Of Black guitarist Tony Hernando offers his own side project, Restless Spirits. From the musical omnibus that is Frontiers Music, the debut album features artists from the label's stable: Johnny Gioeli (Hardline, Axel Rudi Pell), Deen Castronovo (Revolution Saints, ex-Journey), Dino Jelusic (Animal Drive), Kent Hilli (Perfect Plan), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline), and Diego Valdez (Dream Child).

Tony Hernando - Click For Larger Image

Tony Hernando

If you recall Hernando's main gig, you know Lords Of Black plays, essentially, melodic heavy power metal. But with Restless Spirits, Hernando is going for more melodic hard rock in the Eighties AOR tradition. However, there's no disputing the insertion of some metal edge, thanks most often to Hernando's sharp guitar riffs and roaring solos. Basically, Hernando and friends are blurring the lines: call this melodic heavy metal rock, and quite guitar driven at that.

Even so, the metal edge can be tempered by both the timbre of the vocalist and/or a significant piano line. The latter surfaces brightly within Unbreakable, Calling You, and Lost Time, all songs developing into some assertive melodic hard rock. Alternatively, the piano line also infuses and tempers the sharp ballad Nothing I Could Give You or the lighter When It Comes To You. On the vocal side you'll find, for instance, Deen Castronovo too be more smooth and melodic within Unbreakable and Calling You, and a bit more aggressive within Live To Win. While the piano is self-evident within Stop Livin' To Live Online, Hardline voice Johnny Gioeli is at his most assertive and raging best. Finally, and needless to say, Hernando delivers sharp riffs to rhyme with the song and then race to some superb and blistering guitar solos.

All said, guitarist Tony Hernando's Restless Spirits offers an energetic and entertaining album of melodic heavy metal rock with his masterful guitar skills at the forefront. Recommended.


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The Bottom Line

All said, guitarist Tony Hernando's Restless Spirits offers an energetic and entertaining album of melodic heavy metal rock with his masterful guitar skills at the forefront. Recommended.

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