TERRANA – Terrana (2015)

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American Mike Terrana is one of the most talented hard rock / metal drummers from the last 25 years, having played and recorded with the likes of Hardline, Yngwie, Masterplan, Axel Rudi Pell, Steve Lukather just to name few. Mike also has released some solo albums, mostly instrumental.
But now Mike has formed his own band TERRANA, a true hard rocking trio with a sound reminiscent of the classic sounds of the genre. The band’s self-titled debut was scheduled for the end of last year, but pushed back to today, February 2nd, 2015.

Terrana – the band – includes bass player Alberto Bollati (Wine Spirit) and Italian guitarist Fabri Kiarelli, presented here on the blog some time ago with his project B.E.A.S.T. Both provide lead vocals as well, adding to this 12-track CD a welcomed variation.
As said, this is classic, traditional hard rock with Senventies / Eighties inspiration yet with a potent modern approach and production.

“One Way” is the song that was chosen as the first single / video, a kickin’ hard rocker with a Winery Dogs feel but also a groove recalling Extreme. Then we have a really pleasant, more bluesy rocker with “Shake Me”, akin Mr. Big and where Kiarelli & Bollati share the lead vocals.
All of course driven by the awesome drum patterns and fills by the monstrous Mike Terrana.

“Show Down” explodes in your face after a short fun jazzy intro (Mike is a joker), bringing to mind Van Halen both composition as in the singing, also from the very aggressive double pedal drum attack. The song kick ass.
“Hang Tough” thrills in a Doug Aldritch’s Burning Rain way, midtempo “Let It All Go” is a groove beast, and “Hell On High Heels” invites you to a party (complete with cowbell).
One of my favorite cuts is “Hold On”, combining the ’80s Hard Rock melodies from both the American / British styling of the genre.

“It’s Over Now” is the most delicate moment of the album, a ballad that has the same sweet atmosphere of the classic hard rock bands slow tunes.
The album still reserves pleasant surprises as “Mississippi Queen” built around a ’70s guitar bluesy riff in which Terrana is unleashed a bit but never exceeded, and the fun, powerful and overwhelming “Ridin ‘The Rails” which closes this very good debut.

“Terrana” resulted a surprise album: I was expecting a more technical stuff, but man, these guys seriously Rock!
This is a pure Hard Rock monster with flesh & blood. No pro tools, no auto tune, no drum samples… just pure kick ass, fun, entertaining rock n’ roll with terrific melodies and a positive message.
The versatile and powerful voice of Kiarelli perfectly fits with Bollati when they sing together, and their overall performances as instrumentalists plus Terrana behind the kit sounds tight and energetic.
If you love the Winery Dogs, Mr. Big, Extreme, Burning Rain and alike, don’t miss “Terrana”, a killer Hard Rock album in its own right.
Highly Recommended.

01 – Hang Tough
02 – Liquid Dynamite
03 – Hold On
04 – Let It All Go
05 – It’s Over Now
06 – Hell On High Heels
07 – Around The World
08 – Show Down
09 – Mississippi Queen
10 – One Way
11 – Shake Me
12 – Ridin’ The Rails

Fabri Kiarelli (Fabri Kiarelli’s BEAST) – Guitar, Lead Vocals
Alberto Bollati (S.H.I.N.E., Wine Spirit) – Bass, Lead Vocals
Mike Terrana – Drums

BUY IT !
www.amazon.co.uk/Terrana-Explicit/dp/B00SLU4LYM
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