FIGHTER V – Heart Of The Young (2024) *HQ*

FIGHTER V thrills with catchy stadium rock anthems driven by powerful guitar riffs and vibrant keyboard sounds. The melodic rock band from Hergiswil (Switzerland) is known for energetic and passionate live shows that take the audience back to the rock concerts of the 80s. As headliners in Central Europe and support for major acts like The Dead Daisies, Fozzy and Bonfire, Fighter V brings plenty of entertainment experience to the stage.
Their debut album FIGHTER was released 2019 and was one of the surprises of the year. The release was followed by an extended tour, including opening for THE NEW ROSES and Kissin’ Dynamite, as well as festival shows across Europe.
With several line up changes (including lead vocalist), Fighter V releases their second studio album “Heart Of The Young” next Friday, accompanied by an extensive European tour as support act for AXEL RUDI PELL.
Well, new singer Emmo Acar is even better, flexible, and the band’s massive harmony vocals / choruses have been augmented, together with better production & mix. “Heart Of The Young” is plenty of anthemic numbers in the vein of current Scandi melodic hard rock / AOR, think H.E.A.T, One Desire, etc.
“Heart Of The Young” packs 12 tracks, and all are very, very good, no filler. A modern classic in the making?

The album opens with a Foreigner style intro to “Eye To Eye” that has an almost melodramatic essence to it. It’s racing 80s sound lays down a clear marker of what to expect from Fighter V. Keyboards launch Acar’s soaring vocals, the harmonized backing vocals giving the track depth, the pin-point guitar solo has you smiling as the memories of the 1983 come flooding back.
The pace continues with the title-track ‘Heart Of The Young’. Keys intro leads in the rhythm section of Stalder and Egloff, who bring real propulsion to the engine room. The guitar riffs are short and punchy before a squealing solo takes over. The alternating lead and backing vocals combine slickly to bring the track to a close.

“Run N Hide Away” immediately turn thin more rocking by being a guitar led, ballsy rocker that neatly morphs into the plaintive “How Long” that is just begging to be a single if it hasn’t been already, as it is that airwaves friendly.
A fine bluesy guitar intro succinctly melds into the very cool rocker “Speed Demon” which is as energetic and entertaining as befits its title. The midtempo “Bringing It Back” has more great harmonies amid an Europe overall feel; and the epic Journey-like “Miracle Heart” features a superb Thomy Gunn guitar solo alongside more heartfelt vocals.

The sexy brilliance of “Stepped On A Landmine” provides something different on this set as it combines Come An’ Get It era Whitesnake vibes with a ’90s arena rock sound making me hit the replay button straight away.
We have afine AOR ballad in “I’m There”, and then he have more classic ’80s melodic rock with “There Is No Limit (Speed Limit)”, more ‘classic rock’ in sound. A really good tune.
“Power” features a guest vocal from John Diva but without his Rockets of Love. It’s a bit of a gimmick and rather more of a duel than a duet between him and Emmo Acar, but it works well and has just about enough novelty value to be a surprise hit.

The album ends with the commercial “Radio Tokyo” that, along with several other tracks on here, has bags of hit single potential and which is ably supported by the consistently crisp production throughout.
Lucien Egloff’s drums and new bassist Roman Stadler are slick and solid with Felix Cammerell’s keyboards complimenting rather than overshadowing most tracks. Thomy Gunn is pretty flawless throughout, with some impressively cultivated solos that are not needlessly lengthy or overtly flashy.
Singer Emmo Acar’s performance is soulful giving impeccable AOR blues based stylings throughout.

Fighter V’s ‘Heart Of The Young’ is an extremely well-produced record with some outstanding individual and collective performances. It’s a stupendous trip back to the sounds of your youth – classic 80’s Melodic and Arena Rock done with style and moer than a strong, accomplished songwritng.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – Eye To Eye
02 – Heart Of The Young
03 – Run N’ Hide Away
04 – How Long
05 – Speed Demon
06 – Bringing It Back
07 – Miracle Heart
08 – Stepped On A Landmine
09 – I’m There
10 – There’s No Limit (Speed Limit)
11 – Power (with JOHN DIVA)
12 – Radio Tokyo

Emmo Acar – vocals
Lucien Egloff – drums
Felix Commerel – keyboards
Roman Stalder – bass
Thomy Gunn – guitar

Pre order:
www.amazon.co.uk/Heart-Young-Fighter-V/dp/B0DCLDSB5K