PENDULUM OF FORTUNE (David Readman) – Return To Eden (2019)
Founded by legendary MSG drummer Bodo Schopf and Pink Cream 69 / ex-Voodoo Circle vocalist David Readman, PENDULUM OF FORTUNE is releasing today their sophomore album “Return To Eden”.
Before Schopf goes on tour in the USA with Michael Schenker Fest in April, he will play a German tour with Pendulum Of Fortune presenting the new CD.
Schopf and Readman created Pendulum Of Fortune in 2014 and brought some experienced musicians to the band. Matze Erhardt (famous AC/DC cover band The Jack) on guitar and keyboards, bassist Franky R was with Shortino, Vanden Plas, and worked as a guitar technician with the soulful Ronnie James Dio in the band.
The most unknown among the stretchers is likely to be the Stavropol-born guitarist Vladimir Shevyakov, yet the guy can play a solo for sure. Just check him on ‘Rockanin’, his solos will get even the most reluctant air guitarist into motion.
As you suspect, Pendulum Of Fortune’s style is classic hard rock. So, for your admission fee you’re going to get a spiritedly collection of songs that’ll remind you by turns of Whitesnake, Led Zeppelin, Rainbow, Alcatrazz, Dio, Led Zeppelin… you know the score.
Schopf powers everything from the back like the old pro he is, mixing up his styles to suit the song but generally coming on like a nice mix of old names like Powell, McKenna and Bonham. His footwork throughout the straight rocker ‘Skin and Bones’ – one of my favorites – is particularly nifty.
Readman does a stupendous job as well, and if you like his classic vocal color, you’ll enjoy this CD all over as his voice is pretty high up in the mix.
On the title track the band adds a welcomed, slightly proggressive touch, the there’s a lot of melody on ‘Wings of a Dove’, midtempo ‘Don’t Make a Fool Out of Me’, or the excellent ‘Wishing Well’.
That said, fans of David Coverdale will find Readman’s closing vocal pyrotechnics on the track ‘Gravy Train’ final part something to behold…
Fans of old-school, traditional hard rock need to check out “Return To Eden”, it’s all classy, and all good. Even on the cover of Emerson Lake & Palmer ‘Lucky Man’, Pendulum Of Fortune showcases their identity, a very good version by the way.
Strong songs played by professionals, finely produced and mixed.
Highly Recommended
01. Diamond In The Rough
02. We Stand For Rock n’ Roll
03. Lucky Man
04. Skin And Bones
05. Return To Eden
06. Wishing Well
07. Never Be
08. Don’t Make A Fool Out Of Me
09. Broken Universe
10. Wings Of A Dove
11. Gravy Train
12. Rockanin’
13. One Of A Kind
14. Bitter End
David Readman – vocals (Pink Cream 69)
Bodo Schopf – drums (MSG, Eloy, The Sweet)
Vladimir Shevyakov – lead guitar
Franky R – bass
Matze Erhardt – guitar, keyboards
Laki Ragazzas – guest guitar
PRE ORDER:
www.amazon.co.uk/Return-Eden-Pendulum-Fortune/dp/B07NBD1RC9
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