Italian melodic hard rockers DANGER ZONE released their album ‘Undying’ in 2012, however the band re-mixed & re-mastered the whole thing and reissued the CD in 2017 only in Japan under the title “Undying : Reloaded”.
Already out of print, now 2022 “Undying : Reloaded” is being available world-wide with its refreshed sound. DANGER ZONE was formed in the early ’80s by guitarist Roberto Priori, released an EP and opened for major acts in their home and some European countries. But due to various circumstances Danger Zone was forced to give up their big dream, call it quits and return to Italy.
The group already got back together in 2010 working on new material and rehearsing for a new album. Out of the 15 demos they did, 12 were picked, most of them newly written songs, but also a few reworkings of previously unreleased tunes from 1989. The result was this monster rockin’ ‘Undying’, plenty of melodic hard rock riffs and catchy choruses.
From the moment the album opens with the metalized, straight up hard rock of the title cut, you get the impression that Danger Zone haven’t missed a beat. The semi-rough vocals of Giacomo Gigantelli fit the mood perfectly, the screaming guitars are big and the power rhythm section is devastating on this Whitesnake meets Dio terrific opener.
The uptempo pace continues with “I To I”. While guitarist Roberto Priori lays down these sweet licks in this track recalling Germans Jaded Heart, Giacomo grabs your attention and you are treated to the finest Euro hard.
Next, “Half A Chance” has an American vibe all over, melodic and solid. The bass is monolithic, really really fat, and the guitars are spread everywhere.
But Danger Zone knows about Melodic Rock as well, and follower “Paralyzed” is a great semi-midtempo complete with keyboards and some panned acoustics, while the melodic hard rock of “Stand Up” is extemely catchy, very Euro in its sound and style, recalling Germans Frontline.
The band hasn’t forgot their AOR past as well, heard on the nuances of the melodic “The Dreaming Goes On”, the keyboard-driven AOR cut “More Heaven Than Hell” and in the ballad “Falling Up” which reminds you another great German band; Domain.
There’s other more gear-up hard rockers such as the Twisted Sister / Ratt influenced “Hottest Fire” and “Desire”, which sounds like a heavier, pumped up White Lion.
“Undying : Reloaded” is a perfectly balanced album alternating rippin’ hard rockers with adeptly crafted melodic tracks. Danger Zone can write music that has all the best qualities of ’80s Hard from both sides of the Atlantic with ease, and succeeds in both areas. The songs are structured and arranged in such a way as to emphasize the ‘rock’ aspects of them, and trust me, they rock you with impact, even in the more melodic moments.
The album is benefited by the new mix / remastering, with a monster sound and songs in the classic Hard Rock / Melodic Hard Rock mold … do you need more?
Tracklist:
01. Undying (04:04)
02. I to I (04:05)
03. Half a Chance (04:25)
04. Paralyzed (03:53)
05. The Hottest Fire (04:25)
06. Falling Up (05:01)
07. Desire (04:34)
08. Goin' on (04:05)
09. More Heaven Than Hell (04:02)
10. Stand Up (03:58)
11. The Dreaming Goes On (04:16)
12. Love Still Finds a Way (04:23)
13. Tomorrow Now (04:12)
Danger Zone – Undying (Reloaded) (2022)+FLAC
 |
