by Justin Gaines
— Contributing Writer —
After more than two decades carrying the torch for underground melodic hard rock in America, Adriangale is calling it quits. They never had the profile that every cookie cutter project “band” seems to get by default, but the band – which features vocalist Jamie Rowe of Guardian fame – released album after album of top shelf melodic hard rock over the years and could deliver just as well in a live setting. And while it’s sad to see them go, they said goodbye on a high note with the appropriately titled Final Piece, a 2-disc collection released as a collaboration between their longtime label Kivel Records and the Eonian Records label.
On disc 1, Final Piece takes you on a tour of Adriangale’s discography, giving listeners 3-4 of the best songs from each of the band’s five studio albums. Now each fan’s definition of “best” may vary, and some favorites didn’t make the cut, but it’s hard to argue that these 17 songs aren’t “A” material. It gives you a great feel for Adriangale’s brand of hard-hitting, old school melodic rock, and shows you what happens when a band starts strong and somehow manages to get better with every release.
Disc 2 is what will appeal most to those die-hard fans who already own the band’s studio albums. It’s a 10-track collection of live songs and rarities, including a killer cover of Lou Gramm’s classic “Midnight Blue,” bonus tracks like “Kiss A Girl” and “Stealing Hearts” and some previously unreleased remixes and demo tracks. Even with some of these tracks appearing elsewhere, it’s great to have them in one place and as a deep cut companion to the first disc.
Final Piece delivers on two fronts: it’s the perfect best of/introduction to Adriangale’s sound for newcomers, and it’s got a lot of rare tracks to satisfy their die-hard fans. If you haven’t heard the band before but love the classic sound of bands like Mr. Big, Danger Danger and Pretty Maids’ less metallic moments, Final Piece is a great way to discover one of melodic rock’s best kept secrets. If you’re already a fan, it’s a perfect retrospective and rarities collection. Either way, crank it up and bid a fond farewell to one of the best kept secrets in melodic rock.
Genre: Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Melodic Hard Rock
Tracklisting:
DISC 1 – Best Of
Feel The Fire
Save Our Love
Giving It Up
Still Burning
Heartbreak Guaranteed
Closer
Crunch
Faith
Without A Moment’s Notice
Long Gone
Sucker Punch!
The Black and Blue
When I Said You’d Be The One
Believe
Defiance
What About Love
Sometimes
DISC 2 – Missing Pieces
Midnight Blue (Unreleased)
Kiss A Girl (Bonus Track)
Last Call (Revisited)
Crying To Me (Unreleased Demo)
All My Heart (From LIVE Program)
Speed (From Defiance)
Stealing Hearts (From Hood EP)
Closer (Remixed Version)
Heartbreak Guaranteed LIVE (From LIVE Program)
Feel The Fire LIVE FROM SPAIN (From Hood EP)
CD link: http://www.eonianrecords.com/new-products/adriangale-final-piece
Hardrock Haven rating: 
(8.5 / 10)
