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Stardust: Kingdom Of Illusion

Melodic Hard Rock/AOR

4.5/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 20.06.2023 | Released: 16.06.2023

Formed some eight years ago, Hungarian rock band dropped their debut studio album, Highway To Heartbreak on the Frontiers Label. This came on the heels of a short EP which found success in their native country. The new album would push their musical influence into the larger European theater thanks to Frontiers' label weight. Now the quintet returns with their long-awaited second effort, Kingdom Of Illusion, again with Frontiers. The album features new drummer Peter Horn who replaces founding member Tim Keeley.

Stardust

Stardust's chosen genre is classic AOR melodic hard rock. However, with this album, I might want to swap the former with the latter: melodic hard rock with AOR accessibility. Kingdom Of Illusion has more punch than the previous album, being perhaps somewhat heavier, edgier. However, song melody and harmony, rock rthythm and groove, catchy refrains, and strong guitar solos abound throughout.

I found this power and punch at the start with War, a rather pleasing and epic song. But also with Love Sell, Sacrifice, One First Kiss, and The Fire. The AOR rises with Sarah and Losing Me. But that latter song also has some tougher spirit and groove. A traditional rising AOR anthem come with Make Me Feel Your Love. This is followed latter with the closing song, a cover of Cinderella's Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone). I want say it's heavier than the original. Perhaps. The original is definitely more soulful. But the reader can make their own comparison. All said, Stardust's second effort is another solid album of classic melodic hard rock with AOR accessibility, perhaps heavier than the former. Definitely recommended.

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All said, Stardust's second effort is another solid album of classic melodic hard rock with AOR accessibility, perhaps heavier than the former. Definitely recommended.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]

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