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Revolution Saints - Revolution Saints

Label: Frontiers
Format: CD download
Released: 2015
Reviewed By: Rich Catino
Rating: 8/ 10


Revolution Saints is a super-trio with Journey’s Deen Castronovo handling lead vocals and drums, Night Ranger’s Jack Blades on bass/backing vocals (taking lead on two), with Doug Aldrich (ex Whitesnake) providing the guitars. This collaboration of musicians is the best of what these guys have contributed to their other bands and projects, Saints more closely relating to I’d say a harder rocking Journey, and at times towards Night Ranger.

 

‘Back On My Trail’ launches the album into melodic hard rock heaven with Aldrich’s riffs, a complimenting keyboard, and Castronovo sounding like the relative of a seasoned Steve Perry meets Joe Lyn Turner. Expecting nothing less from a track with Blades (a terribly under-celebrated singer/songwriter) on vocals, first single/video ‘Turn Back Time’ is a great duet with Deen and has this upbeat infectious energy delivering a hook to cruise in your car up the coast to. Now, given the very melodic qualities between the vocals, and choruses, its not quite hard rock with a metal edge, or glam/hair metal, its AOR rock. Aldrich’s harder riffs and aggressive soloing that gives the Saints more muscle than most melodic hard rock. With that in mind, ‘You’re Not Alone’ featuring Arnel Pineda sharing co-lead vocals it is very Journey in its balladesque feel. But, heavier riffing and the meatier rhythm to ‘Locked Out Of Paradise’ bring in Doug’s influence from spending time with Whitesnake and showcases a nice flurry of notes for the solo. Another fellow Journey mate, Neal Schon, adds his talents to ‘Way To The Sun’, and like throughout most of the album, keyboards are in the background adding to the melody. ‘Don’t Walk Away’ is a piano power ballad, with ‘Here Forever’ opening in similar territory. But the Saints bring ya back with two more rockers to follow; ‘Strangers To This Life’ and ‘Better World’, and just when you thought they were outa rounds you get ‘To Mend A Broken Heart’ before a closing ballad.

 
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