SUNROAD – Wing Seven (2017)
“Wing Seven” is the first album from Brazilian quartet SUNROAD to be released in the US soon, but these guys aren’t newcomers at all. Sunroad started out in 1996 and have been playing their brand of melodic hard rock now for over 20 years, with six previous albums, a best of collection and a live DVD under their belt.
They have toured extensively and played with many great bands and artists through the years, including shows with LA Guns, Whitecross, Petra, Stryper and Joe Lynn Turner to name a few.
The sound of Sunroad could be defined as a very dynamic hard rock with a modern approach but song-wise, these guys are inspired by American ’80s hard rock.
As you can read above, the band shared stages with several acts from the Christian Metal movement, and that’s not a coincidence: Sunroad is a band with a religious background. However, their lyrics reflect social themes in general.
Since opener ‘Destiny Shadows’ you got a precise hint of Sunroad’s style: muscular yet very clean riffs, potent vocals with some kind of Sebastian Bach touch, and a punchy rhythm section.
‘White Eclipse’ continues with thick riffs akin Impelliterri circa 1988, ‘In the Sand’ is a much more melodic hard rock beast recalling Skid Row Slave To The Grind era, then ‘Misspent Youth’ turn things groovy and midtempo with a sightly bluesy foundation. Very good harmony vocals (all musicians contribute) here.
‘Skies Eyes’ provides variation, as this power ballad mix acoustic guitars with electric, but the latter used in ‘clean mode’. Very good song.
‘Day by Day’ returns to the uptempo territory, a very groovy instrumental with some progressive touches, a killer keyboard solo and spiraling lead guitar work. ‘Craft of Whirlwinds’ has a darker atmosphere yeat melodic at the same time (lead singer Andre Adonis sounds a lot like Seb Batch here).
‘Drifting Ships’ balance the record with a sweet melodic hard rock strongly reminiscent of the ’80s, while ‘Last Sunray in the Road’ is a really, really competent piano ballad which later incorporates the full band for great effect.
Sunroad have nothing to envy from established hard rock / melodic hard acts from US and Europe. Everything in “Wing Seven” is absolutely professional, from musicianship to production / mix quality.
The overall record is inspired by late ’80s / early ’90s American hard rock and while you can hear the aforementioned influences, Sunroad has a true original, own sound.
Highly Recommended
01. Destiny Shadows
02. White Eclipse
03. In the Sand
04. Misspent Youth
05. Tempo (What Is Ever)
06. Whatever
07. Skies Eyes
08. Day by Day
09. Craft of Whirlwinds
10. Drifting Ships
11. Brighty Breakdown
12. Pilot of Your Heart
13. Last Sunray in the Road
Andre Adonis – Lead Vocals, Keyboards
Netto Mello – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Akasio Angels – Bass, Backing Vocals
Fred Mika – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
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