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December 2024

• After Lapse: Pathways
• Illusion Force: Halfana
• Powell-Payne: Voilá

November 2024

• Sunstorm: Restless Fight
• Storace: Crossfire
• Voodoo Circle: Hail To The King
• Lionville: Supernatural
• Starchaser: Into The Great Unkown
• Empires Of Eden: Guardians Of Time
• Lonerider: Down In The Dust
• Seventh Crystal: Entity
• Neal Morse & The Resonance: No Hill For A Climber
• Beardfish: Songs For Beating Hearts
• Impellitteri: War Machine
• Brothers Of Metal: Fimbulvinter

October 2024

• Casandra's Crossing: Garden Of Earthly Delights
• DGM: Endless
• Daytona: Garder la Flamme
• Fate: Reconnect 'N Ignite
• Frost*: Life In The Wires
• Aries Descendant: From The Ashes Of Deceit
• Fans Of The Dark: Video
• Radioactive: Reset
• House Of Lords: Full Tilt Overdrive
• Cleanbreak: We Are The Fire

September 2024

• Sinner's Blood: Dark Horizons
• Serious Black: Rise Of Akhenaton
• Eclipse: Megalomanium II
• SteelCity: Reverence
• Hydra: ReHydrated
• Heartwind: III
• Gabrielle De Val and the Dragonlords: Tiger
• Find Me: Nightbound
• The Nail: The Nail
• Timeless Fairytale: A Story To Tell
• Stryper: When We Were Kings
• Phil Mogg: Moggs Motel
• Pure Reason Revolution: Coming Up To Consciousness
• Jordan Rudess: Permission To Fly

August 2024

• Siege Perilous: Creation's Call EP
• Paralydium: Universe Calls
• Mike Tramp: Songs Of White Lion Vol. II
• Bite The Bullet: Looking For Paradise
• All For Metal: Gods Of Metal (Year Of The Dragon)
• Hammerfall: Avenge The Fallen
• Jim Peterik & World Stage: Roots & Shoots Vol. 2

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Sunstorm: Restless Fight

Melodic Hard & Heavy Rock

4.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 02.12.2024 | Released: 22.11.2024

A brief history of sorts: Formed in 1999, Sunstorm was the original project of vocalist Joe Lynn Turner with an international cast of musicians. Beginning in 2006, the band would release five albums. Turner would depart after 2018's Road To Hell. However, Frontiers Music wanted to continue the project by building the project around vocalist Ronnie Romero (Lords of Black, Rainbow, The Ferrymen, etc.), with a revolving door of, mostly, Italian musical talent in support. Afterlife arrived in 2021, followed by Brothers In Arms a year later.

Now, Sunstorm returns with their eighth album and Romero's third contribution, Restless Fight which features another new crew of participating musicians: Aldo Lonobile, musician, songwriter and producer (Geoff Tate's Sweet Oblivion, Archon Angel, Ring Of Fire), Andrea Arcangeli (DGM) on bass, Alfonso Mocerino (Starbynary, Fallen Sanctuary, Ring Of Fire) on drums and Antonio Agate (Lunarian, Sweet Oblivion, The Erinyes, et al) on keyboards.

Sunstorm

Concerning Restless Fight, Ronnie Romero commented enthusiastically: "I really love the new album! I believe it keeps the Sunstorm essence with an AOR base, but bringing a fresh more guitar oriented and a heavier sound. It was fantastic to work with Aldo for the first time and I believe the fans are going to like the album very much!"

Essentially, Restless Fight continues Sunstorm's evolution into a band delivering guitar-forward melodic, yet hard and heavy, rock with AOR sensibility from song melody, rock rhythm and groove, and catchy refrains. Making his presence known at the start, Aldo Lonobile is an exceptional guitarist, offering fans swift riffage and epic, roaring solos. Of course, Romero at the microphone delivers his customary raspy and assertive vocal style (which I find to be an acquired taste.

Speaking to some songs, I was attracted to the songs where Romero was more dialed back and the AOR groove seemed to have a larger effect. This would include In & Out, I'll Stand For You, the speedy Dreams Aren't Over, Love's Not Gone, and the power ballad Without You. Sunstorm also offers a cover of Ozzy's Shot In The Dark, one if his most memorable singles songs (originally demoed by UK's Wildlife featuring the Overland Brothers and future Ozzy bassist Phil Soussan). Sunstorm's version is a bit heavier, but likely my favorite song on the album (next to Without You).

All in all, Sunstorm's latest and eighth album, Restless Fight, featuring vocalist Ronnie Romero for a third time, is another platter of their melodic, hard and heavy, rock driven by powerful guitar work from Aldo Lonobile and informed by AOR sensibility. 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.

Sunstorm's latest and eighth album, Restless Fight, featuring vocalist Ronnie Romero for a third time, is another platter of their melodic, hard and heavy, rock driven by powerful guitar work from Aldo Lonobile and informed by AOR sensibility. Recommended.

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

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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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