SONIC DIVIDE – Sonic Divide [first album] (2013)

From the lushly textured complexion of the songwriting to the throwback sound drawing upon the best aspects from the ’80s to the impeccably flowing track listing, every detail about the self-titled debut from Adelaide, Australia based SONIC DIVIDE grabs our attention and holds it with repeat play.
Released by themselves at the end on 2013, this is a very special album mixing classic Journey, Giant, FireHouse melodies with a modern approach and impeccable taste.

Sonic Divide can trace its origin to when vocalist Wayne Holden saw guitarist Glenn Johnson playing a gig, with the two later getting together to see if ‘a couple of blokes having just scaled the summit of 40 years old might be keen to rekindle their musical passions by jamming together’ (as taken from the groups press material).
The first Sonic Divide jam session (performing mostly covers) soon followed, in which keyboardist Andy Young and bassist Ian Slade participated. After recruiting a second guitarist in Steve Pirie and drummer Evan Johnson, Sonic Divide turned into a writing project when individual members started presenting with the material that would form the basis for its debut album.

All are experienced musicians. Several Sonic Divide members cut their teeth playing in various metal-related bands in the Eighties and Nineties. Most notable are Johnson, part of the Australian version of Disciple (releasing a full-length album entitled Sacred Knights in 1988 in addition to opening for Stryper on its In God We Trust tour) and Holden, a member of Covenant (putting out a five song demo, Fall Of Rome, in 1993).
On a side note, Johnson had an older brother named Russ that played in a local band called Mississippi, which later went on to evolve into Little River Band!

Musically, Sonic Divide walks a fine line between melodic rock, commercial hard rock and AOR.
The group’s press material, as a result, lists MSG, Toto, Boston, Journey and Bon Jovi as points of reference – and rightly so.
I might have also included several others taking a similar musical heading: Giant, AdrianGale, FireHouse, and others with a more edgy sound.

“So In Love” opens the album on a high note; it’s a modern-day melodic rock piece with the clearly pronounced rhythm emphasis, a wall of sound vocal harmonies and crunchy riffs. Especially convincing is the vocal performance of the lead singer Wayne Holden, his voice somewhat reminiscent of the soaring, sensual singing manner of Kane Roberts.
“Driven” merges moments ranging from the lighter and airy to stauncher and bottom heavy, while “I Wonder” is a radio friendly tune with a mellow spirit.

Sonic Divide compose some of the best ballads you will hear lately. My favorite is “The Healing”, with its dreamy, ethereal tinges and wave-like guitar tones, but I can see how others might favor “When The Morning Comes”, joining a bluesy guitar proclivity with abundant overriding emotion akin Bon Jovi.
“I Wonder” is also great with its piano basis and bigger than life backing vocals (one of Sonic Divide’s staples).

“Too Much” is another highlight of the album, a keyboard-laden melodic rock anthem embroidered with a soaring, dynamic guitar sound and completed with the perfectly crafted, multi-layered vocals. The track reveals that even though Sonic Divide is a 2014 band who looks forward rather than dwells upon the past sound-wise, most of their influences are deeply rooted in the Eighties.

There’s also much of the ‘80s-infused flavors in slightly Leppard-esque layered vocal parts of the next track “Shattered Fortress” as well as in the ear-piercing synthesizers “Stepping Stone” is laden with – albeit the latter’s notable also because of its slightly funk-ish groove and from its forward mix of hard rocking guitars.
“Horizon” is the final track on the album, delivering distorted guitar sound against the radio-friendly, melodic pop rock groove but also some light progressive time signatures.

“Sonic Divide” delivers a handful of neat, polished hooks, bright melodies skillfully balancing between the ‘80s-infused melodic rock and updated hard rock, some impressive guitar playing and great vocals.
Singer Wayne Holden is one of the stars of the show here. Yes, he sings in a lower register in comparison to some melodic rock vocalists – occasionally reaching low to add some tough hints of grit to his delivery – in helping lend to the trademark emotional Sonic Divide sound. Otherwise, he displays significant power in trending towards the clean and smooth side of things.

“Sonic Divide” debut was more than a welcomed surprise, blending the old & new with style. Production is excellent and crafted in detail, as it is the mix & mastering. Their self-titled record was released by themselves at the end of past year, but now it’s available world wide with a proper distribution.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

01 – So In Love
02 – Driven
03 – I Wonder
04 – When The Morning Comes
05 – Too Much
06 – Shattered Fortress
07 – Stepping Stone
08 – The Healing
09 – Horizon

Wayne Holden – Lead Vocals
Glenn Johnson – Guitars
Steve Pirie – Guitars
Andy Young – Keyboards
Ian Slade – Bass
Evan Johnson – Drums

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www.sonicdivide.net/