WILL WALLNER & VIVIEN VAIN – Rising +4 (2017)
WILL WALLNER & VIVIEN VAIN met in America after arriving from Europe some years ago. Discovering they shared similar musical tastes the duo began to write together. After a year performing around L.A. they ran into legendary drummers Vinny Appice (BLACK SABBATH / DIO) & Carmen Appice (KING KOBRA) who, after hearing the Wallner And Vain demo, agreed to perform drums on this, their debut album.
The album was released in Europe under the title “Rising“, but there’s also an American version (self-titled) with 3 different tracks. Additionally, WILL WALLNER & VIVIEN VAIN have done a new 2017 take on ‘Visions Of Home’, a track from their second album.
The original Wallner / Vain project evolved to feature several other high caliber performers such as Brian Tichy (FOREIGNER), Rudy Sarzo (QUIET RIOT), Tony Franklin (BLUE MURDER), Jimmy Bain (DIO), Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER), and Tony Carey (RAINBOW), with Wallner and Vain performing all guitars and vocals respectively.
So with such a serious amount of firepower you would expect this material to have the kick of a ten ton mule and you would be right.
The end result is a remarkable melodic hard rock CD in the classic fashion.
Highlights include “DreamStealer” with its majestic beginning, where Vinny uses some alternative percussion. The guitar work by Will Wallner is a good example of the technical but soulful playing you are going to hear through all songs. We have a well-placed pace change at 1:30 that leads to some huge vocals by Vivian Vain. The guitar work blends very well with the drums and keyboards in a jamming feel.
“Miles Ahead” once again has Vinny on drums where him and Rudy Sarzo are showing off in the rhythm work. This song is completely built around the vocals of Vivian and her deeper rockin’ bluesy tone, taking you back to the days of metal Queens Lita Ford and Lee Aaron, not as much the sound, as the attitude Vivan’s voice portrays.
“Indestructible” has Will steering the ship on guitar, and we hear Carmine on drums creating a great vibe in the background. The rhythm becomes seriously contagious and Will’s solo work over top of it is very fluid.
“Soul Monster” has a great hard rock hook and displays the voice of Will Warner along with his excellent guitar work. The chorus is very catchy and one of my favorites on the album, but I find it breaks continuality with Will singing. I would love to hear this song with Vivian at the mic.
I must say I have some issues with the overall lead vocals from both (a bit forced), but musically the album is so strong that I don’t care.
The American release of the album features other tracks (presented here as bonus): “I Stand Alone” is a darker hard rocker which starts with a cool organ / guitar interplay to a climax where the vocals arise over a busy instrumentation.
On the other hand, “Far To The Dawn” is more straight-forward with catchy refrain, “Alpha” is a showcase for Warner’s skills on te 6-strings with a little Vandenverg feeling, then the new 2017 version of “Visions Of Home” is melodic hard rock oriented.
Will Wallner And Vivien Vain, with the help of such a top notch backing band, have put together a very solid collection of classy sounding ’80s / early ’90s Melodic Hard Rock. Every track on here rocks with a ‘band’ feeling.
Wallner delivers some truly excellent riffs & solos with a style like a cross between Randy Rhoads and Jake E. Lee. Some have complained about the vocals but to be honest Vain keeps it simple, giving a straight down the line, and her pipes are a very good match for Wallner’s guitar work, suiting this stuff to a tee.
If you are a fan of classy ’80s Melodic Hard Rock, you ought to check out this CD. You won’t be disappointed.
Easily Recommended
01 – The Dream
02 – Dreamstealer
03 – Streets of Rage
04 – Fourteen Twenty Eight
05 – All That I Want
06 – Miles Ahead
07 – Soul Monster
08 – Rising
09 – Indestructible
BONUS TRACKS:
10 – I Stand Alone (US bonus)
11 – Far to the Dawn (US bonus)
12 – Alpha (US bonus)
13 – Visions Of Home (new version 2017)
Vivien Vain: Vocals
Will Wallner: Guitars, Keyboards
with:
Tony Carey – Keys on Tracks 1, 2, 8, 9
Jimmy Bain – Bass on Track 2
Vinny Appice – Drums on Tracks 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 13
Carmine Appice – Drums on Tracks 3, 5, 9, 12
Tony Franklin – Bass on Tracks 3, 5, 7, 9
Rudy Sarzo – Bass on Tracks 4, 6, 10
Brian Tichy – Drums on Track 7
Derek Sherinian – Keys on Track 7
BUY IT
www.amazon.com/Rising-WILL-VIVIEN-VA-WALLNER/dp/B005T3ALP2
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007941CDE
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