SUNRIDERS – Alive At Last (2017)

“Alive At Last” is the debut album from SUNRIDERS, a French Melodic Hard Rock combo born almost ten years ago as a cover band, then they started to create their own songs since 2014. formed by experience musicians, the album title reflects SUNRIDERS’ victory to have, at last, their music packed on CD.

“Alive At Last” is a really solid collection of classy melodic hard rockers sung in English, and musically influenced by the genre’s golden era with a strong US, Canadian, British and Scandinavian feel. Yes, these Frenchmen mix all these ‘sound & style’ into one, with a quite unique touch.
Aditionally, SUNRIDERS adds the catchiness of AOR keyboard stabs plus pretty infectious choruses.

Opener, title track ‘Alive At Last’ has a punchy rhythm with a guitar / keys combination bringing to mind British cult band AFTER HOURS, then the joyful ‘Cheer Up!’ has some Swedes ROULETTE on it.
‘Call Me’ has more Scandinavian AOR waves during the verses and a sweet chorus (all members contribute harmony vocals), and the time for the first ballad arrive with ‘Wherever’, a lovely midtempo melody arranged with nice pianos & synths.

‘Look In The Mirror’ is harder and groovy with an American influence via pompy keyboards, ‘Overnight’ is plenty of ivory swirls, while melodic rocker ‘I Won’t Forget’ reminds me of MORITZ, perhaps due to Fab’s lead vocals reminiscent of Peter Scallan.

‘Framed’ is one of the highlights, a song with a typically early ’80s AOR style; midtempo verses, increasing pre-chorus and a racing main chorus complete with guitar / keyboard runs.

Titled as the band, ‘Sunriders’ is ready for the Summer full of catchiness but meaty instrumentation in the vein of LIONHEART, the band try some acoustics for good effect in the slow ‘Crazy Heart’, whilst as its title implies, ‘We Need Girls’ is a feel-good melodic rocker with a Canadian touch.

Taking elements from all Melodic Hard Rock AOR history / geography, SUNRIDERS is a more than welcomed band into the scene, with a very solid debut album in “Alive At Last”.
If you’re fan of the genre – who doesn’t – there’s a lot to enjoy on this well rounded album, wrapped by a proper production & mix.
VERY Recommended

01 – Alive At Last
02 – Cheer Up!
03 – Call Me
04 – Wherever
05 – Look In The Mirror
06 – Overnight
07 – I Won’t Forget
08 – Framed
09 – Sunriders
10 – Crazy Heart
11 – We Need Girls
12 – Lost Cause

Fab (Lead Vocals)
Jeep (Keyboards, Backing Vocals)
Keway (Guitars, Backing Vocals)
Francky (Guitars, Backing Vocals)
Flo (Drums)
Steph (Bass, Backing Vocals)

BUY IT !
www.brennus-music.com/hard-metal-ap-2/sunriders–alive-last-digipack-p-9326.html
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