RAY OF LIGHT – Salute (2025) *HQ*
A new German-British comet is blazing: RAY OF LIGHT, a new star in the melodic hard rock galaxy. Ray of Light is a fresh line-up that should make some long-standing heavy rockers and AOR fans prick up their ears, as the promising name includes members of a gang that has already released several official records under the FRONTLINE banner – eight to be precise – and has been on the verge of an international breakthrough several times.
The time has come, and Ray Of Light show the world what’s possible under the new name with their album titled ”Salute”, which is due to be released on February 14, 2025. All ten tracks on the album share one thing for sure: they radiate a refreshing positivity that breaks through in a drive as exuberant as it is powerful – ”Salute” extends way past the friendly greeting that gives the album it’s name.
It is a glimmer of hope, a soundtrack to a new beginning, which was fueled not least by the arrival of the incredibly talented British rock voice Gregg Cromack as lead singer. And yet there is so much more to the creation of this piece: a new foundation full of verve on the one hand, but also a heavy blow of fate and loss for the band on the other, when co-founder, guitarist, songwriter and long-time friend Robby Boebel fell seriously ill in the middle of the album preparations in 2022 and died far too soon afterwards. It would take until the fall of 2023 for Ray of Light to begin working with exceptional guitarist and producer Jörg “Warthy” Wartmann and complete the work in memory of the late friend.
“Salute” is a superb debut album. As a unit RAY OF LIGHT are tight musically and what a great singer Greg Cromack is, he nails every track. This has to be one of the best and strongest debuts we heard in recent years. Also I would like to mention the production which is really good, the perfect balance which adds to the fantastic sound that this band has.
01 – Falling to Pieces
02 – Ray of Light
03 – Alive
04 – City of Angels
05 – Stand Up
06 – Best of Me
07 – Falling from Grace
08 – Frontline
09 – Last Day
10 – How Long
Greg Cromack – Vocals
Stephan Bayerlein – Drums
Joerg Wartmann – Guitar
Thomas Bauer – Bass
Pre order:
www.amazon.com/Salute-Ray-Light/dp/B0DSGJX6RH
