REVIEW : VARIOUS ARTISTS -- WE STILL ROCK – The Compilation (2016)

Which is the result if you gather up the Italian melodic rock scene: the answer can be found in this album! "We Still Rock-The Compilation" is a collection of unreleased and re-visited tunes coming from some of the most renowned artists of the Italian melodic rock scene, conceived by an idea of the No. 1 website for this kind of music in Italy (Melodicrock.it), and born in support of "A Melodic Rock Night", the cool mini-festival scheduled in Padova (Italy) on October 1, 2016 at Grindhouse Club.

Vega, the Brit melodic hard rock sensation, guests here with an acoustic version of "Every Little Monster" which is featured in the band's "Who We Are" album. The bands that contribute in this compilation are Hungryheart, Laneslide, Charming Grace and Danger Zone among others.

The track which kicks-off the party here is "We Still Rock" and what a better way to start this compilation. A melodic rock gem that, since the first time that I heard it, it blew me away with its anthemic chorus line and its amazing rhythm!!! Next is Vega with an acoustic version of their "Every Little Monster" track, a tune that is among my top favorite songs of 2016!!! Laneslide's "Together As One" is probably one of the highlights here. Melodic as it gets with some superb vocals and a killer chorus line!!! "Love Nest" is a n acoustic version of Wheels Of Fire song that was included in the band's debut brilliant record ('Hollywood Rocks').

One of the biggest surprises here is Alessandro Del Vecchio's song "Strange World".  A solid and 'punchier' melodic rock gem that really steals the show here. Charming Grace with "Gotta Get Away" delivers another great moment and, of course, another killer song with an amazing chorus line to die for. "Walk Away" from Danger Zone it's a nice track while in "No Time Yet For A lullaby" The guys from Room Experience offers an alternative version (regarding the vocals) of  the song that featured in the debut.

"Memories" from Soul Seller is a very good and Hungryheart with the acoustic "Nothing But You" delivers a sensational acoustic ballad and one of my personal favorite tunes from this record. A song that could easily appear in any of Bon Jovi earlier albums!!! A great one!!! "Revolution" from Alchemy is the heaviest tune here and the song that closes the album is "Runaway" by Highway Dream.

Overall, this is an extremely interesting and melodic as it gets release all the way. The Italian heavy weight melodic rock/AOR/hard rock scene is here and achieves to release this high class compilation that is a must have for each and every fan of this particular genre. 

Rating : 9/10

TRACKLIST:

01 I.F.O.R. - WE STILL ROCK
02 VEGA - EVERY LITTLE MONSTER (ACOUSTIC VERSION)
03 LANESLIDE - TOGETHER AS ONE
04 WHEELS OF FIRE - LOVE NEST (ACOUSTIC VERSION)
05 ALESSANDRO DEL VECCHIO - STRANGE WORLD
06 CHARMING GRACE - GOTTA GET AWAY
07 DANGER ZONE - WALK AWAY (2016 VERSION)
08 ROOM EXPERIENCE - NO TIME YET FOR A LULLABY (ALTERNATIVE VOCALS VERSION)
09 SOUL SELLER - MEMORIES (ALTERNATIVE MIX)
10 HUNGRYHEART - NOTHING BUT YOU (ACOUSTIC VERSION)
11 ALCHEMY - REVOLUTION
12 HIGHWAY DREAM - RUNAWAY