DANGER ZONE – Line Of Fire (first time on CD / Limited Numbered Edition)
Signing a deal after impressing whilst supporting the mighty Saxon in Italy in 1988, Italians DANGER ZONE headed off to Los Angeles to play some well-received gigs and begin work on their second album (a first, ‘Victim Of Time’, had been released in their home country in 1984) with some of the knob-twiddling heavyweights responsible for albums by the likes of Stryper, Meat Loaf, Loudness, EZO.
But protracted label negotiations and the illegitimate birth of the grunge beast meant that Danger Zone, like so many of their bouffant brethren, walked the short path to obscurity at the dawn of the Nineties.
That second album, ‘Line Of Fire’, recorded back in 1989 has become something of a lost treasure to melodic rock fans who have continuously demanded the album finally see release.
After more than twenty years, leader and guitarist Roberto Priori – which remains firmly in command of that dream called Danger Zone – with the help of a reissue label, finally bring us their sophomore album “Line Of Fire”, strictly limited to 1,000 copies, numbered.
Opening track, title song “Line Of Fire” begins with a bout of guitar widdling in the style of Eddie Van Halen before turning into a 100% american melodic rocker. A great song with an awesome chorus.
The second track is the first of 3 covers included on this ten track affair; 1972 T. Rex’s classic “Children Of The Revolution”. A very good version, heavier than what you’d be used to hearing, with a blistering fretwork over it but the chorus brings it all home.
“Walk Away” is a power ballad that confirms the leading role of singer Gigantelli, with his slightly hoarse voice can lift any song to the next level.
The interesting “Fingers” is a mid-paced, sexier rocker that features the guest backing vocals of none other than the infamous Grace Jones on what turns out to be the album’s stand out track.
“State Of The Heart” is another first class melodic rock tune with a contagious chorus, sounding a lot like Ratt circa 1988. “Hardline” is also absolutely American, a Dokken-esque track with a fat bass line and catchy rhythm. The chorus arrangements reminds me Warrant too.
The straightforward “The Hunger” with its frenetic pace is simple but effective. Next is the cover of Chequered Past (Michael Des Barres’ band) “Let Me Rock”, more chant-along than the original, with a Def Leppard arena-anthem vibe.
“That’s Why I Fell In Love With You” is the last cover featured here, an Eddie Rabbitt’s original (a country-rock artist), and certainly has a southern rock /AOR feel, very cool mid-tempo ballad ala Van Zant circa 1985.
“Love Dies Hard” wraps the disc in a very good form, this track is killer rocker in the Dokken style featuring a great guitar solo.
“Line Of Fire” is a very good slice of classic Americanized melodic rock, played and recorded at professional standards. Singer Giacomo Gigantelli showed real talent when his pipes were fully warmed and lead guitarist Roberto Priori certainly had major guitar hero potential in his blurred fingers.
After this release Danger Zone returned to the scene, now with two albums under their belt since, the last appeared few days ago, and a killer one for sure.
Highly Recommended
01 – Line Of Fire
02 – Children Of The Revolution
03 – Walk Away
04 – Fingers
05 – State Of The Heart
06 – Hardline
07 – The Hunger
08 – Let Me Rock
09 – That’s Why I Fell In Love With You
10 – Love Dies Hard
Giacomo Gigantelli – vocals
Roberto Priori – lead guitar
Stefano Peresson – guitars, keyboards
Stefano Gregori – bass guitar
Paolo Palmieri – drums
Mark Cobrin – background vocals
Stephan Galfas – background vocals
James Palace – background vocals
Michael Palace – background vocals
Noah Baron – background vocals
Grace Jones – background vocals on “Fingers”
Jody Gray – additional keyboards & guitar, background vocals
BUY IT
www.amazon.de/Line-Fire-Danger-Zone/dp/B06XY2PDRR
