STONE LEADERS (Dino Jelusic) – Stone Leaders (2019) *HQ*
As requested, more music involving great vocalist Dino Jelusic, here’s STONE LEADERS self-titled indie debut from 2018, later properly released by Vanity Music Group on CD but pretty hard to find now.
STONE LEADERS happened purely by chance, as American drum veteran John Macaluso (TNT, Jorn Lande, Yngwie) was contracted to do a drum clinic in Croatia back in 2016 and in need of some supporting musicians, entered bassist Marko Karacic & guitarist Ivan Mihaljevic. The musicians really hit it off, and they eventually decided to form an actual band, enlisting vocalist / keyboard player Dino Jelusic (at the time in Trans Siberian Orchestra, Animal Drive) to round out the line-up, and Stone Leaders was born.
Musically “Stone Leaders” is an upbeat collection of edgy, heavy melodic hard rock songs with a healthy prog & prog-metal flavor. Macaluso’s drum work is as impeccable as always, his busy style dynamically pulsing under some well thought out arrangements and textures from the rest of the band. Mihaljevic & Jelusic make a great vocal tandem, and overall the singing is top notch here, especially on such powerhouse tracks as “Box of Time” and “Fire Up the Oceans”.
In addition, Ivan Mihaljevic delivers some truly impressive guitar passages throughout the album, not only the heavy riffing, but some blazing solos as well as ethnic Croatian elements, which you can hear on the melodic “Blind Crusade”, supported by some fine synth tones.
For some complex, adventurous melodic heavy prog, check out the intricate “Shot By Lies” and the groove laden “Heartless Stereo” – Macaluso really digging deep on the latter. “Unearthly Designs” is another wild one, with cascades of shred guitar, dazzling keys, and complex rhythms, but saddled with plenty of catchy hooks.
It’s always nice to be pleasantly surprised by a ‘new’ band – “Stone Leaders” didn’t received too much exposure back in the day – and that’s exactly what happens here with this varied, dynamic album. Top notch musicianship, some memorable songs, and fantastic vocals… it’s a winner folks!
Highly Recommended
01 – Box of Time
02 – Dv84u4ea
03 – Fire up the Oceans
04 – Blind Crusade
05 – Shot by Lies
06 – Toxic Guide
07 – Heartless Stereo
08 – Unearthly Designs
09 – Electric City
10 – Ignited
11 – Gravity
12 – Seeker
John Macaluso – drums, percussion
Dino Jelusic – vocals, keyboards
Marko Karacic – bass
Ivan Mihaljevic – guitar, vocals
Try here:
www.amazon.com/Stone-Leaders-STONE-LEADERS/dp/B07N3RG7CG
