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June 2024

• Seven Spires: A Fortress Called Home
• Atlantic: Another World
• Xeneris: Eternal Rising
• New Horizon: Conquerors
• Issa: Another World

May 2024

• Rhapsody Of Fire: Challenge The Wind
• Cloven Hoof: Heathen Cross
• Perseus: Into The Silence
• Yes: Talk (1994/2024) Reissue
• Marty Friedman: Drama
• Demon: Invincible
• The Treatment: Wake Up The Neighbourhood
• The Tangent: To Follow Polaris
• Riot V: Mean Streets
• Anette Olzon: Rapture
• FM: Old Habits Die Hard

April 2024

• War Grave: War Grave EP
• Six By Six: Beyond Shadowland
• Vanden Plas: The Empyrean Equation Of The Long Lost Things
• Praying Mantis: Defiance
• King Zebra: Between The Shadows
• About Us: Take A Piece
• Blue Oyster Cult: Ghost Stories

March 2024

• Cruzh: The Jungle Revolution
• Whom Gods Destroy: Insanium
• The Prog Collective: Dark Encounters
• Lords Of Black: Mechanics Of Predacity
• Lipz: Changing The Melody
• The End Machine: The Quantum Phase
• Stargate: Escaping The Illusion
• Turbulence: Binary Dream
• Sonata Arctica: Clear Cold Beyond
• D'Luna: Monster
• Big Big Train: The Likes Of Us
• Benjamin Croft: We Are Here To Help

February 2024

• Traveler: Prequel To Madness
• Lionheart: The Grace Of A Dragonfly
• Honeymoon Suite: Alive
• Durbin: Screaming Steel
• Smoking Snakes: Danger Zone
• Revolution Saints: Against The Winds
• Striker: Ultrapower
• Show N Tell: The Ritual Has Begun
• Robert Hart: Circus Life

[ More Music Reviews ]

Issa: Another World

Melodic Hard Rock/AOR

4.5/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 05.06.2024 | Released: 07.06.2024

Since her debut album Signs Of Angels in 2012 vocalist Issa (Oversveen) has been dropping a new studio album faithfully every two to three years. Her latest and eighth album, Another World, took less time, only 16 months. While still on Italy's Frontiers Music label, Issa turned to the England and Martin (Tom and James) Bros Productions for songwriting and recording. Brother Tom performed on guitars and bass; James on synths. Both assisted with recording, mixing, and bgvs. (The mastering was completed by Frontiers' own Alessandro Del Vecchio at his Ivory Tears Music Studios.)

Issa

Additional guitar work was provided by Leon Robert Winteringham, known for his work with Vega, Nitrate, and his own The LRW Project. As always, Issa has invited guest musicians including, among many, Dennis Butabi Borg (Cruzh), Robert Sall (W.E.T., Work Of Art), and Pete Newdeck (Eden's Curse, Fury, Midnite City, Khymera, et al).

Musically, Issa has made a career of providing her voice to her own brand of AOR melodic hard rock. Of Another World, she comments: "The new album is my favorite yet ... We went for a straight up 80s inspired AOR album with a few hard rockers in for good measure ... think prime Bon Jovi, Richard Marx and Heart, with even a bit of synthwave ... Tom and James really capture the spirit of the 80s and prime melodic rock."

Speaking to some songs, there's more than a few hard rockers with Never Sleep Alone, Lost & Lonely, Another World, Another World, and Armed & Dangerous some of the best. Still rocking, yet capturing that catchy AOR accessibility, are Got A Hold On Me, The Road To Victory, and All These Wild Nights (cow bell included). Turning more towards anthemic ballads, there's Only In The Dark and A Second Life.

All said, with Another World, Issa has accomplished her mission, another spirited and entertaining album that captures that classic Eighties AOR melodic rock groove. Essentially, Issa has become a modern master of the genre. Recommended.

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

With Another World, Issa has accomplished her mission, another spirited and entertaining album that captures that classic Eighties AOR melodic rock groove. Essentially, Issa has become a modern master of the genre. Recommended.

Support the artist, click the link below to buy the album at Amazon (US site) in your favorite format.

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