Line of Fire Momentum
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer
Momentum seems like an odd title for the second Line of Fire album. Momentum is exactly what the US-based melodic rock band lost in the five years since their well-received self-titled debut was released. Of course, the delay is understandable, given that guitarist/keyboardist/songwriter Nikki Dimage was sidelined for two years with cancer. Now healthy and once again focused on Line of Fire, Dimage and vocalist Shawn Pelata (recently active with Liberty n Justice) are back with another well written, brilliantly executed slice of melodic rock.
For those of you who missed the band’s debut, Line of Fire plays a brand of melodic rock that’s influenced by classic bands like Journey, Boston and Foreigner, but has a modern energy and precision that rivals European bands like Khymera and Brother Firetribe. The band seems to acknowledge their long absence up front, with the appropriately titled “It Takes Time,” which was originally recorded by Nikki Dimage’s 80s band Dimage. This was one of the better songs from Dimage’s It Takes Time collection, and it sounds even better with Pelata singing it. After that comes the very catchy “Obsession,” which is the album’s first single. The Street Talk-sounding ballad “Ghost In Your Heart” is another song that seems made for AOR radio. Of course, there aren’t many, if any, songs on Momentum that wouldn’t make great singles (well, not here in the US of course). The whole album is just packed with catchy melodies, great guitar hooks, and some very impressive vocals. Pelata sounds absolutely incredible here. His vocal range and control seem to have grown measurably since the debut, and he gives these songs an additional measure of both power and heart. The vocal harmonies in particular are just gorgeous. And if that weren’t enough, the album is impeccably produced, mixed and mastered.
Momentum is one of the absolute best melodic rock albums released this year, and proof positive that the Europeans don’t have a monopoly on high quality modern melodic rock. With any luck, the band will stay healthy and this album will prove successful enough to regain that lost momentum.
Note – The CD version of Momentum features an exclusive cover of Dokken’s “Breaking the Chains.” Line of Fire takes a stripped down, acoustic approach to the song, and the results are positively chilling.
Genre: Melodic Rock
Band:
Shawn Pelata (v)
Nikki Dimage (g) (b) (k) (v)
Thomas Clark (g)
Track Listing:
1. It Takes Time
2. Obsession
3. Give Me All
4. I’ll Be the One Tonight
5. I Belong
6. The Fire Never Dies
7. I’m Crying (For You)
8. In the Stone
9. Undone
10. Ghost In Your Heart
11. Breaking the Chains
Label: Tribunal
Website: www.myspace.com/LoF
Hardrock Haven rating: 9/10