As much as some of them may not want to admit it, many of today's progressive/power-metal bands blatantly incorporate elements of Eighties hard rock and hair metal. Take the self-titled debut by Headrush - a driving collaboration between vocalist Roberto Tiranti of the Italian prog/power-metal band Labyrinth and journeyman guitarist Alex De Rosso, who has gigged with Dokken in recent years. This band exudes a highly listenable hybrid sound that manifests itself best in emotion-drenched, hook-filled songs like "Not Just Anyone," "Young" and "Catch 22." Of course, there is also standard metal and hard rock fare ("All In A Crime," "Ordinary Man") and the requisite ballads ("Silence," "'Til I Know"), but Headrush executes this music with great precision, the sharp production giving the songs a retro yet aggressive edge. Rounding out the quartet are solid Italian session players Mauro Castellani on bass and Dave Fini on drums.
On the other hand, the disturbing cover art, depicting a young boy loading a handgun with a picture of stick-figure parents hanging on a wall in the background, doesn't reflect the music and seems a little like an attempt to shock. In fact, there's nothing shocking about this music. If anything, these songs fit into a comfort zone ideal for listeners who want neither a pure headbanging experience nor an onslaught of progressive elements.
Track Listing:
1) My World
2) Not Just Anyone
3) Fooling Myself Again
4) Ordinary man
5) All In A Crime
6) What's Yours Is Mine …
7) Catch 22
8) Silence
9) Young
10) Change My Life
11) Get off the Dime
12) 'Til I Know
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
