Kev Rowland
Japanese guitar hero Nozomu Wakai has already released two albums under the project name Nozomu Wakai’s Destinia, but having seen a performance by Lords Of Black, featuring vocalist Ronnie Romero, he was so impressed that he immediately offered him the gig as singer with his band. With Romero (Rainbow, Lords Of Black, CoreLeoni) on board, Wakai decided to source some more name musicians to complete the line-up and brought in Marco Mendoza (The Dead Daisies, Thin Lizzy) and Tommy Aldridge (Black Oak Arkansas, Pat Travers Band, Gary Moore, Ozzy Osbourne, Yngwie Malmsteen, Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy and so many, many more). Having a rhythm section who know each other incredibly well, having played in multiple bands together, allows Wakai to let rip knowing that he has the foundation underneath him and Romero at the front providing great vocals.
This is a classic rock album, Rainbow for a metallic new generation, symphonic power metal which is melodic and full of power. Aldridge is still a powerhouse, nearly 50 years since his debut on the scene (he is 68 years old, I hope I’m half as active when I get to his age), and provides plenty of finesse and fills while Mendoza keeps it locked down. Wakai sees himself as a metal god, of that there is no doubt (just look at previous album covers and his photos on his website), but he has the chops to back it up. Also, he keeps himself under control and restraint, so while he can shred with the best of them he stays far more melodic than others. This really is about the songs, and not as total an egofest I expected it to be, and it really does feel like a band as opposed to a project. Given how busy the rest of the guys are in other bands, I do wonder if they are going to be able to get out there and tour with this line-up, but if they could build on what they have already then the next album should be incredible, as this is stunning as it is. Undoubtedly one of the finest albums to come out of Frontiers in 2018, this is powerful, over the top, and a blast from start to finish. Essential.