SWEET OBLIVION (feat Geoff Tate) – ST [Japan Edition +1] (2019)

Former Queensryche and current Operation: Mindcrime frontman Geoff Tate has revealed his new project titled SWEET OBLIVION. Tate has teamed up with guitarist and bassist Simone Mularoni, keyboardist Emanuele Casali and drummer Paolo Caridi in the band – and they’ll release their self-titled debut album on June 14 through Frontiers Music, and tomorrow via Marquee in Japan including a bonus track.

While Geoff Tate is busy performing on the current Avantasia tour, “Sweet Oblivion” debut CD is being released in Japan and in a couple of weeks, worldwide
After the first listen, I can say this will turn early Quensryche fans crazy of joy.
“Sweet Oblivion” delivers a bunch of classic heavy rock songs with the ‘entertaining’ factor as main focus. No derivative, no experimentation, just fun, rockin’ songs.

The man behing the project is talented Italian Simone Mularoni of DGM fame. He grow up listing classic ’80s metal / hard rock, and wrote these songs especifically with Geoff Tate in mind.
This is not a Tate solo album attempting to rekindle the glory days. This is a sincere homage by these Italians (line up completed with Emanuele Casali on Keyboards and Paolo Caridi, Drums) all big fans of the whole late ’80s borderline-progressive hard rock scene: Queensrÿche, late era Winger, Mister Big, Extreme, etc.
Geoff Tate is just helping these amazing musicians put the cherry on an already impressive cake.

From the first opening chords, it is clear that this new band is putting a modern twist and mix on the 1990 melodic scene. For his part, Geoff Tate seems to put forth his very best efforts. While he may not have the range and power of thirty years ago, especially live, there is no question he still has the control and technique for which he is known. Through the joys and magic of modern production, Simone is able to layer and thicken his tracks to the end of really being a DeGarmo/Wilton duo unto himself.
He frequently picks out the individual notes within chords, letting them ring over top of one another, sometimes in jarring discordant ways, such as the opening of the titular second track. At other times, the chords are chunky and powerful, packed with classic Marshall bite. The leads, however, are the sweetest blend of attack, cut, and cream.

The third track, “Behind Your Eyes”, kicks off with some chest-thumping work on the toms, almost reminiscent of “Spreading the Disease”. Also present at the opening of the track are some hints of keyboard chords; an aspect which throughout the album helps to bring a modern prog metal element to what may otherwise be too deeply marinated in the former Empire of Tate.

Since the album does not seem to be any kind of concept album, it is free to deliver a fair variety of flavors, from the dark heavy atmosphere of “Hide Away,” to the bittersweet balladic nature of “Disconnect.”
The penultimate track, “The Deceiver,” has just as much keyboard riffage as guitar, and it works surprisingly well. Simone blew our minds with some full-on Michael Romeo sweeps and arpeggios; something you won’t find anywhere on later Queensrÿche (we’re looking at you, Hear in the New Frontier).

As a whole, we were pleasantly surprised by this album. While we had no idea what to expect, precisely, we had no idea it would be a reverently authentic return to the roots of modern progressive metal.
The drumming is huge, the keyboards walk a tasteful line between respectfully old-school and ostentatiously prog-metal, and the bass guitar carries us dependably from beginning to end.
Most importantly, the guitars are absolutely incredible, from varied rhythm and chord delivery, to blistering and beautiful leads.

Last but not least, are the Geoff Tate vocals, which exceeded expectations in every way. The record is very well-mixed to sound like a remaster of your favorite classic metal / hard rock album from the ’80s on a modern sound system.
It is truly looking like a surprise dark horse favorite of 2019. Frontiers music has another winner here. Do yourself a favor and grab it now.
HIGHLY  Recommended

01. True Colors
02. Sweet Oblivion
03. Behind Your Eyes
04. Hide Away
05. My Last Story
06. A Recess From My Fate
07. Transition
08. Disconnect
09. The Deceiver
10. Seek The Light
11. Disconnect (Piano Version) (Japan Bonus Track)

Geoff Tate – Vocals
Simone Mularoni – Guitars, Bass
Emanuele Casali – Keyboards
Paolo Caridi – Drums

Pre Order:
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/MICP-11485