by John Kindred
— Publisher —
Current Yngwie Malmsteen keyboardist and vocalist, Nick Z Marino, recently joined forces with former Thor guitarist Steve Price and drop their first studio effort titled the Red Moon Project.
The 7-track affair features ex-Malmsteen drummer, Patrick Johansson, on six tracks, and current Malmsteen drummer Brian Wilson on the intro song.
The Red Moon Project was completed in 2019, but as with the rest of the world, was put on the back burner when the Covid pandemic hit. The Duo alongside Shredguy Records now has made the album to available for purchase at the Shredguy Records website.
“Intro” opens the musical foray with a melodic and melancholic instrumental track of bluesy lead guitar played over keys and bass guitar. The “Stranger” follows suit with an energized, and Malmsteen-inspired, song. Here the vocals and the guitar tease your ears with that all-so-familiar sound. The solo break is more in line with traditional Hard Rock/Metal than Neo-classical. Again, the vocals are spot on in the style of former Yngwie frontmen. “Let Me Go,” offers a nice interplay between the guitars and keyboards, it is a mid-tempo affair… Nice vocal melodies, plenty of shredding.
“Break Away” lands in the middle of the CD. This is the obligatory “ballad.” Nice, mellow, with an emotional vocal performance by Marino. Features female backing vocals and melodic soloing by Price. “Wild Woman” is another energetic rock. Noticeable throughout the CD is the presence of the kick drum and bass guitar in the mix. Marino’s voice reminds of MSG alumni Gary Barden. Price rocks out another blistering solo here, and Marino extends the dual interplay between the instruments twinkling the ivories at the final bars of the lead break.
“Run To The Edge” still hearing the Gary Barden influence. The song, driven by the keys, builds up the tension, by the time the guitars kicks in the musical foundation has been poured, and the instrumentation pushes the music forward. The instrumental song “Red Moon” closes out the CD. Here the band creates a melodic song highlighted by the piano performed by Marino and the soloing of Price. Again the guitar and keys are both featured solo vehicles, as the duo express themselves through the note that emotes from their fingers.
Bottom line, the music by Marino and Price grows on you. You will hear undeniable influences, but the players here are skilled at their craft and create a brief musical escape for your listening pleasure.
Genre: Heavy Metal
Band:
N Z Marino (v)(k)
Steve Price (g)(b – 2, 4, 5)
Patrick Johansson (d – 2-6)
Charlette McKinnon (bv)
Track Listing:
Intro
Stranger
Let Me Go
Break Away
Wild Woman
Run to the Edge
Red Moon
Label: Shredguy Records
Online: https://shredguyrecords.storenvy.com/
Hardrock Haven rating: 
(7 / 10)
