ALDENFIELD – Light Of Day [CD version] (2017)

Every year there’s several very good albums that, sadly, are silently released not achieving major exposure. Well, 0dayrox is here to solve it, at least, partially. This is the case of “Light Of Day“, the wonderful debut album by American combo ALDENFIELD.
Before listening to a single bit, after reading ALDENFIELD was formed by keyboard player Howard Helm (from Pomp band ZON and AORsters REFUGEE) and guitarist Jim Morris (session man for many ’80s AOR acts such as STAN BUSH, BOBBY FRISS, et all) it was clear that this album deserved its place in our blog.

In the 70s / early 80s Helm played with Canadian cult band ZON and they opened for the likes of Styx, Foreigner and Alice Cooper, besides having their own headlining shows. The music of ZON moved from progressive to pomp rock, so it was not surprising to see Helm joining REFUGEE during the mid 1980s.
Later he joined Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson and shared stages with Brian May, Joe Elliott, Axl Rose, Slash, and many others.

Helm moved from Canada to Florida and has worked with Jim Morris in his studio since the ’90s and has acted as producer, engineer, and session keyboard player for bands like Iced Earth, Kamelot, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Savatage, Jon Oliva’s Pain, and Steinhardt / Moon, as well as being a involved with various bands.
So after the ’80s AOR / Melodic Rock, it was back to prog for Helm.

And now ALDENFIELD, which style is, naturally, proggy, but at the more melodious spectrum of the genre, often mixed with Melodic Rock and hard rocking guitars.
The band have recorded a concept album ‘which takes the listener on a journey through potential end times as seen and told by seven people in different parts of the world’. A rather opportune theme, in these globalized times in particular, isn’t it?
The comic art on the front cover may not really tease you – which reminds me of those wonderful 50s / 60s sci-fi magazines – but don’t let this pull you out. The music inside is very, very good.

First track ‘The Arrival’ is a guitar-driven intro that fits the sci-fi scene. But the start of the second track brings us right back to the present. Composition-wise this is modern prog, leaning to the heavier side of the genre, save some easier middle sections with bluesy / melodic guitar solo.

Some pomp, stadium rock is still there, mostly in the vocal lines of the choruses, but in a heavily updated form with multiple layers. Helm owns a very melodic of perfectly pitched pipes, helped by Morris on some leads.
References to days of old can be found in some keyboard sounds, like the Hammond in the excellent ‘Outside Is Inside’ intro. Oh, my bluesy-hard rock based taste for prog loves this!

While the dynamic ‘The Voice of the People’ with is classic melodic rock middle passage akin SAGA, and follower, the intense ‘Here and Now’ are the longest tracks on the album [and not present in the digital version], they suddenly seem just an intro to track 4, ‘Running Out Of Time’.

One of album’s highlights, ‘Running Out Of Time’, with its fast-paced intro of keyboards and guitar riffing in the vein of TEN, several breaks and changes shift the mood from dark to ominous and haunting also with some STYX on it.
Even when the song’s tempo goes down for the middle section, attention is kept, only to be rewarded by an excellent break speeding up the pace again in SAGA style, and a treat with a great keyboard and double guitar solo. What a killer song!

Next, ‘All Is Lost With Yesterday’ is a mix of ’80s lite proggy Melodic Rock combined in a modern, almost danceable, rhythm. It’s a different song from the rest, and another showcase for ALDENFIELD’s versatility. Here the rhythm section which completes the band shine, with Ruben Drake playing a mammoth 6 string bass and Mark Prator a dynamic set of drum fills.
The busy keyboard solo in ‘Going Nowhere’ followed by a more layered textures, brings in more unexpected variation, just like all the changes in tempo in the last track ‘Judgement Day’ (some current KANSAS here) and more of that excellent keyboard work.

“Light Of Day” is one of those self-released album that lacks promotion, but musically is far superior than many ‘big label’ releases. The fact that we have a band led by two producers and skilled session performers means you get a very well-produced album and a superb mix. Honestly, the album sound million bucks.
All songs are extremely interesting, proggy but highly melodic and brilliantly arranged, mostly uptempo and rocking. Keyboard / Pomp suckers like me will love this album.

ALDENFIELD’s musicianship is top notch, believe me. There’s also really good vocals / harmonies, sometimes clear, sometimes a bit aggressive. Not a typical prog voice and not a typical AOR voice either, which is a plus to my ears.
An excellent album for fans of the aforementioned acts (STYX, MAGNUM, KANSAS, SAGA, you get the picture) but let me tell you ALDENFIELD’s music is quite unique.
Easily one of the best indie / self-released albums of the year.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

You’ve seen it first here, at 0dayrox

01 – The arrival
02 – The voice of the people
03 – Here and now
04 – Running out of time
05 – All is lost with yesterday
06 – Going nowhere
07 – Outside is inside
08 – Judgement day

Howard Helm (Vocals, Keyboards, Synths)
Jim Morris (Guitars, Vocals)
Ruben Drake (4 and 6 String Bass)
Mark Prator (Drums)

BUY IT !
howardhelm.com/store
www.amazon.com/Light-Day-Aldenfield/dp/B0727T2XCC
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