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[ More Music Reviews ]

Storm Force: Age Of Fear

Melodic Hard Rock

4.5/5.0

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Escape Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 22.01.2020 | Released: 25.01.2020

Everybody who's been to Niagara Falls knows that the best view is on the Canadian side. I've been there, very cool. Canada's Niagara Falls is also the home to Storm Force, a classic melodic hard rock band created by Brighton Rock (and also Helix) guitarist Greg Fraser. The band is completed by vocalist Patrick Gagliardi (ex-Surface Tension), drummer Brian Hamilton, and bassist Mike Berardelli. Age Of Fear is their debut studio album on the UK Escape Music label.

Storm Force

Formed by a guitarist, you can expect very guitar-forward melodic hard rock from Storm Force, yet also filled with plenty of melody and groove and solid vocals. Fraser lays down some exceptional riff harmony and then rips up the fret board for some feisty solos. Gagliardi sings assertive, melodic, and clean with a subtle raspiness to his timbre. But, moreover and better, his voice both easily follows and carries the melody and harmony of each song. Exceptional examples come in the melodic rock arena anthem, Breathe, and the piano driven ballad, Different Roads.

To mention a few more songs, some straight up riff rockers come with Ride Like Hell, Dirty Vegas, Marshall Law, and Ringside. Similar to the aforementioned Breathe, Because Of You finds Storm Force offering some radio-friendly AOR infused melodic hard rock. Rising ballads come with Ember Rain and More Than You Know, both turning on acoustic guitar starts from Fraser.

Mostly, I found the versatility of the songwriting and the caliber of the musicianship across this album to be Storm Force's greatest strengths. All in all, Storm Force's Age Of Fear is an exceptional first effort, a fine album of classic melodic hard rock deserving your attention. Easily recommended.

Decarlo: Lightning Strikes Twice

AOR Melodic (Hard) Rock

4.5/5.0

Decarlo is the namesake band of vocalist Tommy DeCarlo, which also features his son and guitarist Tommy DeCarlo Jr. If you're scratching your head, wondering ... [ 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.

Storm Force's Age Of Fear is an exceptional first effort, a fine album of classic melodic hard rock deserving your attention. Easily recommended.

Alphabetical Index

After a brief three year absence from the studio, Swedish rockers Perfect Plan return with their fourth long player, Heart Of A Plan. This arrives after their vocalist, Kent Hilli, has been involved in a few other projects ... [ Read More ]