by Justin Gaines
– Sr. Columnist —
After a seven-year absence, Melodic Rock project Khymera returned at the end of 2015 with a new album, their fourth to date, titled The Grand Design. This is the first Khymera album not to feature founder Daniele Liverani. Instead, bassist/vocalist Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Unisonic) takes the reins, alongside drummer Felix Bohnke, guitarist Michael Klein (Wicked Sensation) and keboardists Eric Ragno (about a hundred different projects) and Jim Rybkost. Ward produced the album and is assisted on songwriting duties by Paul Logue (Eden’s Curse).
With that many changes to the lineup, songwriting team, production, etc. you might expect a very different Khymera sound on The Grand Design. And in some respects, it is quite different. Let’s start with what hasn’t changed though. Khymera is still playing quality Melodic Rock that’s somewhere between AOR and Hard Rock, they still have a classic AOR influence, and they still have impressive musicianship and vocals. What’s different comes largely from the songwriting. Ward has a very distinct style, giving The Grand Design a catchier, more rocking edge, and he and Logue seem like a match made in Melodic Rock heaven. There’s an electricity here that the previous couple of Khymera albums simply didn’t have. Ward also continues to impress on vocals. He doesn’t have the range and power some of the big names have, but his steady, somewhat raspy midrange works really well on these songs.
Highlights on The Grand Design include the upbeat “Never Give Up On You” and “Who’s Fooling Who,” (which could pass for a Houston single) and the slower, soulful “Streetlights” and “Where Is the Love,” but the whole album is rock solid.
Not only was this worth the seven-year wait, The Grand Design is easily the best Khymera release since their debut. Dennis Ward and company brought the perfect chemistry to this album, and the result is something that any fan of polished, catchy, old school Melodic Rock – especially bands like Survivor, Giant, Foreigner, House of Lords and Ten – should absolutely love.
Genre: Melodic Rock
Band:
Dennis Ward (b) (v)
Felix Bohnke (d)
Michael Klein (g)
Eric Ragno (k)
Jim Rybkost (k)
Track Listing:
1. Never Give Up On You
2. Tell Me Something
3. Say What You Want
4. I Believe
5. A Night to Remember
6. She’s Got the Love
7. Land of Golden Dreams
8. The Grand Design
9. Streetlights
10. Who’s Fooling Who
11. Finally
12. Where is the Love
Label: Frontiers Records
Website: www.facebook.com/khymerathegranddesign
Hardrock Haven rating: 8.75/10
