HARDLINE – Human Nature (2016)
the real one
This Friday, October 14th Frontiers Music we will release “Human Nature“, the brand new album from HARDLINE. Following the rebirth of the band that happened with a comeback album in 2012, Hardline has regrouped around fabulous singer Johnny Gioeli (Axel Rudi Pell) with the excellent production and keyboard skills of Alessandro Del Vecchio (Revolution Saints, Lionville, et all), the shredding talents of guitarist Josh Ramos (The Storm), and the powerful rhythm section made up of bassist Anna Portalupi (Tarja) and drummer Francesco Jovino (Primal Fear, Jorn).
All these musicians have an impressive pedigree, but what makes Hardline special is how well their unique and different talents blend together.
For the songwriting team of Gioeli & Del Vechhio, the goal was to create an album that emulates the feeling of Hardline’s awesome ’92 debut ‘Double Eclipse’ combined with the dynamics of modern-day melodic hard rock sound.
So how does “Human Nature” stack up? In short, it’s a killer record.
Some would say that it’s Double Eclipse only with a revived sound and pulse, but I think it’s more than that. I think this album bridges all the gaps between the different ideas and concepts that the other Hardline albums established, combined to make this very strong and enjoyable new effort.
The punchy melodic hard rockers and AOR anthems are songs to listen to driving down a highway at full speed, and the ballads have to be heard to be believed. Alessandro Del Vecchio was partly responsible for the bands 20th anniversary revival four years ago. This is the second Hardline album that he’s on and the man is the real ‘music orchestrator’, while Gioeli’s awesome pipes the driving force.
There’s definitely a sharp edge to be found with ‘The World Is Falling Down’, ‘Where We Will We Go From Here’, ‘In The Dead Of The Night’ and the anthemic ‘Fighting The Battle’. The groove of the rhythm section is deep and the guitar riffs sharp and clean.
But Hardline foundation is classic melodic rock with an AOR heart. The title track ‘Human Nature’ is a good example starting with vocals over piano, then developing into a soaring arena-ready anthem.
Then there’s ‘Trapped In Muddy Water’, which is steeped in a bluesy melody and finds Gioeli at his most versatile, at times sounding soulful, much like a torch singer. These two songs were easily my favorites.
Additionally, totally dialed back and more a pure AOR rock ballad is ‘Take You Home’ featuring only Gioeli’s voice over Del Vecchio’s piano.
Hardline has recorded a new damn solid melodic rock album. “Human Nature” offers a fine range music and songs, from pure classy AOR / Melodic Rock to modern Melodic Hard with an edge.
They bring up the inevitable comparison to their own ’92s classic, but I think it’s not necessary. This album is not Double Eclipse, and it shouldn’t be. It has its own identity, a fresh modern sound and most the songs are great, rounding a killer release.
Hardline, in this form, is too talented to make anything less than a good record, which is what they’ve delivered here.
HIGHLY Recommended
01 – Where will we go from here
02 – Nobody’s fool
03 – Human nature
04 – Trapped in muddy waters
05 – Running on empty
06 – The world is falling down
07 – Take you home
08 – Where the north wind blows
09 – In the dead of the night
10 – United we stand
11 – Fighting the battle
Johnny Gioeli (lead & backing vocals)
Alessandro Del Vecchio (keyboards, backing vocals)
Josh Ramos (guitars)
Anna Portalupi (bass)
Francesco Jovino (drums)
Produced by Alessandro Del Vecchio
PRE ORDER:
www.nehrecords.com/SHOP/HardlineHuman.htm
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