Saturday, January 22, 2022

REVIEW : CITY OF LIGHTS, Before The Sun Sets (Frontiers Music s.r.l. Release: 11 February 2022)

City Of Lights is an exciting new melodic hard rock collaboration between British newcomer songwriter/guitarist Neil Austin and Greek vocal sensation Manos Fatsis (Odyssey Desperado/Hideaway).

This project was born when Neil Austin had a collection of songs that were inspired by the golden era of Melodic Rock/Hard Rock. He searched for the right vocalist to add so as to perform these songs. And the right choice was Manos Fatsis as the lead shouter. Fatsis has done an amazing work on Odyssey Desperado's "Don't Miss The Sunset" and Hideaway's self-titled debut. When the time came to find a rhythm section, Austin reached out to members of his favourite band, brothers Robin (bass) and Mats (drums) Eriksson from modern melodic rock monsters degreed and after hearing the demos, both agreed to contribute to the album.

"Before The Sun Sets" is entiled the band's debut and is going to be released this February through Frontiers Music. 

The sound of CITY OF LIGHTS is pure and edgy melodic rock stuff that includes passionate vocals, huge hooks and choruses and excellent guitar work. All the songs recall to bands such as Art Of Nation, H.E.A.T. and, of course, Odyssey Desperado

Highlights here? Let me think; every single track!! All the songs are well-crafted, well-written and there are tons of melodies enough to make you sing-a-long for days. The opening tune of "Racing On The Redline" kicks-off things here impresivelly with its fast-tempo rhythm to continue with the AOR gems of "Heart's On Fire", "Heat Of The Night" and the commercial "Give Me Back My Heart". The groovier and more hard rockin' tune of "Snake Eyes" is briliant while "Joanna" is yet another killer melodic rock gem out of this debut. 

This is a really solid debut all the way. CITY OF LIGHTS with "Before The Sun Sets" is delivering an album full of big melodies, great perfromances and, most of all, great and melodic songs that will make each and every fan of this scene very very happy!! Enjoy this little gem on maximum volume! 

Songwritting : 8
Production : 8
Songs : 9
Musicianship : 9

Overall Rating : 8,5 / 10 




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