Hardline's debut album from 1992 is a classic masterpiece. "Double Eclipse" featured the Gioeli brothers from the band Brunette teaming up with guitar hero Neal Schon to record one of the best Hard Rock records ever. The album was loaded with great songs, vocals and a sparkling Neal Schon, who released his inner beast from Journey.
Most Hard Rock fans have been awaiting a follow up to "Double Eclipse" for 10 years. Finally it is here, so the big question is, Is
Hardline II worth the wait? YES it is. This is classic Hard Rock with a very high standard. Neal Schon's replacement is Josh Ramos, who is a competent guitar player. However, even though Neal Schon's playing is missed the album has so many great qualities.
Hold Me Down opens the album in traditional
Hardline style. Nice crunchy guitars characterize this track. It is not the best song on the album but a great opener.
Y is definitely an album highlight with the nice mixture of acoustic guitar and electric guitar. The song starts with an acoustic guitar and then builds up for the chorus, where all the classic
Hardline elements are let loose. The chorus is very powerful and one of the best I heard in years.
Paralyzed could easily be a track off "Double Eclipse". The track has the characteristic artificial harmonics that Neal Schon practiced on the first
Hardline record.
Paralyzed is a great rock track proving that
Hardline has not lost the ability to write a kick ass tune, while keeping it very melodic. Johnny Gioeli's strong pipes make the track even more powerful.
Face the Night is the album's first great power ballad. The chorus is pompous and splendid performed.
Face the Night is in a league of it's own. The song sounds like a close relative to
Change of Heart.
Another killer track is
Do or Die. The song has a mid-tempo verse, while things are cranked up for the chorus. The rhythm guitar played by Joey Gioeli makes this song rocky.
Hey Girl is a mellow song mainly driven by the bass and acoustic guitars. The electric guitar kicks in for the chorus. There is a really good part during the long guitar solo. Josh Ramos plays a fantastic solo and Joey Gioeli creates a certain emotion by playing a slow part and then a faster part. The song ends all electric. Josh Ramos really proves that he is a worthy replacement on the lead guitar.
Only a Night is a mix between
AOR rock and power ballad. Another of those ballads that
Hardline write and perform so well. Again Johnny Gioeli sounds like a million bucks. The chorus is another great sing-along.
A strong rhythm guitar drives
Your Eyes. This is the disc's only harmless track. Not a bad song, but
Your Eyes is lacking the high class of the other 10 tracks. The chorus is a bit monotone, but the guitar solo is great.
Weight shows a new facet of
Hardline. The keyboard is providing an up-dated sound. The muted guitar playing during the verse is groovy and Johnny is again singing excellent. The sound on the guitar is real emotional/moody and overall
Weight is a bit heavier than traditional
Hardline.
Way it is, Way it Goes also has a more modern direction. This is another song that builds up for the chorus, which is fantastic. Same moody guitar sounds as on
Weight. Another album highlight.
With the album closer
This Gift the
Hardline story comes full circle. The song is written with Neal Schon, who also plays guitar. The song is a sweet ballad to round off this fantastic album.
The production on this album is a bit darker than on "Double Eclipse". However the production suits the songs really well. Overall the album contains a whole bunch of great Hard Rock songs that are timeless. Like stated in the track by track review the album is diversified. The strength of
Hardline is their ability to write great melodic songs with catchy choruses spiced with great guitars. A formula that once again has provided the world with a new classic Hard Rock album.
Welcome back!
Written by
Michael Monday, September 23, 2002
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