Italian label Frontiers Music Srl has figured out the solution to the music industry. In an ever changing environment where fans and labels follow the latest trends, this Hard Rock/Metal label has continued to do something that is revolutionizing how we get our music. The past business model of a record label was to sign a number of bands to multi-year, multi-album deals. The bands would be required to release a new album every so often for a specific time period. This is how it has been for decades. However, the forward-thinking of appropriately named Frontiers Music Srl is to sign the actual musicians and join them up in various combinations to produce new music. When you look at it, this makes for much better music more often. In fact, the music catalog at Frontiers Music srl is full of this type of scenario as well as fully established bands.
One such project has become one of my new favorites, Revolution Saints. The combination of well known musicians such as Drummer Deen Castronovo (Journey, Hardline, and more), Guitarist Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, formerly of Night Ranger, and more) bassist Jeff Pilson (Foreigner, Dokken, Dio, Black Swan and more) along with Keyboardist/Producer Alessandro Del Vecchio, are sure to make for an unbelievable album. If you look at the credits of each musician you will see ‘ and more’… because it is difficult to list every contribution these guys have had to our everyday playlist. There is a very high chance if you are a fan of this genre of music you have more than one example of these guys somewhere in your collection.
It may be a bold statement, but in spite of any negativity swirling around out there, this may be the best time to be a fan of melodic Rock music in years thanks to the guys mentioned above, as well as many others like them who are releasing new music more and more often. This in mind, Revolution Saints released Eagle Flight in February of 2023, and a little under a year later return with Against the Winds. Their fifth album in the last decade, simply put, Against the Winds is a great listen from beginning to end with all kinds of twists and turns of emotion and energy.
Starting with the title-track, the mood is set from the first hit of the drums. Slowly the song builds until the unmistakable vocals of Castranovo find your ears. This is followed by songs like “Changing My Mind” and album standout “Falling On My Knees.” From here, the journey continues (no pun intended) only to slow it down with “Can’t End It Right Now,” where Castranovo’s silky vocals are highlighted. The rest of the record continues with rockers like “Lost In Damnation,” “Save All That Remains,” and “Been Said and Done.”
Overall, the songwriting is amazing on Against the Winds and all eleven songs are worthy of being a single. The guitar playing of Hoekstra is right on point and very tasteful. Holding out the bottom end, Jeff Pilson does what he does best, and completes every song perfectly. Now, many music reviews may tell you that this ‘sound’ sounds like this band, or that song sounds like that. Although, in a situation like this, it is difficult to place a label on an entire record going song by song.
As stated, the guys of Revolution Saints have been around for a while. Knowing this, to say any song sounds like Journey or Night Ranger, or anyone else for that matter, would be a disservice. The reality is Deen Castronvo is a member of Journey, and has done several albums under that name. Joel Hoekstra has done the same with Night Ranger and Whitesnake, etc. Jeff Pilson has just as many recording credits as well. As a musician ,with each recording you put a piece of yourself into each song and note. What some people think sounds like this band or that band… really sounds like the player.
So, to sum it up, Against the Winds sounds like a combination of all of these guys and their inner spirit and style. If you are a fan of this type of music you will not be disappointed, because Cryptic Rock gives Revolution Saint’s latest 5 out of 5 stars.
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