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November 2024

• Sunstorm: Restless Fight
• Storace: Crossfire
• Voodoo Circle: Hail To The King
• Lionville: Supernatural
• Starchaser: Into The Great Unkown
• Empires Of Eden: Guardians Of Time
• Lonerider: Down In The Dust
• Seventh Crystal: Entity
• Neal Morse & The Resonance: No Hill For A Climber
• Beardfish: Songs For Beating Hearts
• Impellitteri: War Machine
• Brothers Of Metal: Fimbulvinter

October 2024

• Casandra's Crossing: Garden Of Earthly Delights
• DGM: Endless
• Daytona: Garder la Flamme
• Fate: Reconnect 'N Ignite
• Frost*: Life In The Wires
• Aries Descendant: From The Ashes Of Deceit
• Fans Of The Dark: Video
• Radioactive: Reset
• House Of Lords: Full Tilt Overdrive
• Cleanbreak: We Are The Fire

September 2024

• Sinner's Blood: Dark Horizons
• Serious Black: Rise Of Akhenaton
• Eclipse: Megalomanium II
• SteelCity: Reverence
• Hydra: ReHydrated
• Heartwind: III
• Gabrielle De Val and the Dragonlords: Tiger
• Find Me: Nightbound
• The Nail: The Nail
• Timeless Fairytale: A Story To Tell
• Stryper: When We Were Kings
• Phil Mogg: Moggs Motel
• Pure Reason Revolution: Coming Up To Consciousness
• Jordan Rudess: Permission To Fly

August 2024

• Siege Perilous: Creation's Call EP
• Paralydium: Universe Calls
• Mike Tramp: Songs Of White Lion Vol. II
• Bite The Bullet: Looking For Paradise
• All For Metal: Gods Of Metal (Year Of The Dragon)
• Hammerfall: Avenge The Fallen
• Jim Peterik & World Stage: Roots & Shoots Vol. 2

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Starbreaker: Love's Dying Wish

Melodic Hard Rock

Rating: 4.0/5.0

www.lovesdyingwish.com
Blistering Records USA
www.myspace.com/starbreaker

Two simple reasons give me cause to grab the latest Starbreaker work 'Love's Dying Wish,' and they are outstanding vocalist Tony Harnell (ex-TNT) and guitar guru Magnus Karlsson (Allen/Lande and others). Starbreaker's 2005 debut was a nearly perfect work of melodic metal. Now, in their return, expectations are undoubtly high. But be prepared for something akin to their former work, yet quit different as well. 'Love's Dying Wish' has a more contemporary sound offering a more down-tuned and somewhat dark melodic rock style. Still, this album shines with Harnell's brilliant vocals and Karlsson's sterling and accurate fret work.

This contemporary feel is immediately apparent at the outset of the album. Though 'End Of Alone' still travels the road of melodic hard rock, 'Evaporate' and 'Love's Dying Wish' bring an obvious modern influence. When Starbreaker does this, they do it very well. This theme continues on other songs including 'Hide,' 'Building A Wall,' and 'Changes Me.' Yet, within all of these songs and the entire album is the prevailing undercurrent of tradional melodic hard rock. This is what makes 'Love's Dying Wish' work so well: it's a fresh approach to a classic sound. Forgetting the modern nuances for a moment, there are, simply, some great songs on this album including the aforementioned 'End Of Alone,' 'Beautiful Disaster,' and 'Live Your life,' where, on both, Karlsson thrills on guitar. While this album may take some fans time to understand and enjoy, I believe with patience and careful listening they will find 'Love's Dying Wish to be a true gem. Recommended!
   - Craig Hartranft

Starbreaker's sophomore release 'Love's Dying Wish' is an unexpected offering. It's more melodic hard rock than metal and a bit more modern in style. Not exactly a curve ball but it is a more than subtle departure from their debut. It's a refreshing and positive approach to a classic sound.

Alphabetical Index

eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]