by Franco Cerchiari
— Sr. Journalist —
Along with Mike Kiske, Jorn Lande, Jeff Scott Soto, and DC Cooper, Joe Lynn Turner has seemingly become part of a badass circle of vocalists who have in their resumes a seemingly endless repertoire of Rock and Metal projects that has kept fans of great music in rapture.
Here, Sunstorm has released their 5th studio offering, once again on Italy’s majestic purveyor of Melodic Rock, Frontiers Records. With plenty of muscular guitars, songs awash with keyboards, layers of vocals, and a sturdy drum line, Sunstorm’s The Road To Hell has everything that makes Melodic Rock the first reach for those who love radio friendly, clean, harmonious, instantly likable songs. Nothing comes across with attitude, but rather the music wonderfully offers itself to the listener, and what this record becomes is a welcome accompaniment to your day while involved with the various ventures that come from everyday life.
So hard to not like Sunstorm, and Joe Lynn Turner now pushing 70 years old is truly a fantastic vocalist, not letting age get in the way, and his voice sounds as great as ever. He projects power into the songs and sings with vitality and passion. He is to be admired and has rightfully earned his place as one of that badass circle’s best.
While in all fairness, Sunstorm is indeed a band, this is a Joe Lynn Turner record and project. Throughout The Road To Hell, is JLT’s voice featured, and in every way describable, Joe Lynn Turner’s voice is a pivotal, and crucial part of the music. But be that as it may, listen to everything that is so great about JLT’s voice (and Sunstorm) as you hear the opening track, the Hard Rock vibe of “Only The Good Will Survive.” The guitars of Simone Mularoni (DGM, Empyrios, Lione/Conti) are so good here, as he lays into his six-string and a mid-track guitar solo is nothing short of superb. The CD highlight, “Blind the Sky” is a song that climbs to the heavens, building in excitement and pitch and as the verse blows wide open, a reach for the volume knob is made, and it becomes best to just allow this amazing song to become part of your existence. Take note of the keyboards of “My Eyes On You,” the crunchy guitars of “Future to Come,” and the piano of the gentle ballad “Everywhere.” “Calling” and “Resurrection,” both should become part of a radio station’s playlist, but of course won’t be. “State of the Heart” was great, and closing The Road To Hell is “Still Fighting,” that shows Mr. Turner singing his lungs out, and this song is a tremendous way to close out a solid anthology of Melodic Hard Rock.
Taken as a whole. the music is firm, played by a group of musicians who are masters of their craft. The sound, as can be expected from a Frontiers release is spot on, and the mixing is done to perfection. The production done by the master Alessandro Del Vecchio shows he is the go-to guy in the world of Melodic and Hard Rock.
Not since his days with Rainbow has JLT been featured prominently on the radio, and as radio continues its pathetic existence proving they are more concerned with making money rather than supporting bands like Sunstorm, fans of great music need to remember that badass circle of vocalists and take time to make The Road To Hell part of your day.
Genre: Melodic Rock, Melodic Hard Rock
Band Members:
Joe Lynn Turner – vocals
Simone Mularoni – guitars
Nik Mazzucconi – bass
Alessandro Del Vecchio – keyboards
Edo Sala – drums
Track Listing:
1. Only The Good Will Survive
2. The Road To Hell
3. On The Edge
4. Blind The Sky
5. My Eyes On You
6. Future To Come
7. Everywhere
8. Resurrection
9. Calling
10. State Of The Heart
11. Still Fighting
Label: Frontiers Records
Online: www.joelynnturner.com
Hardrock Haven rating: 
(8.5 / 10)
