Seldom have I seen Frontiers Records rousing our interest in an album so extensively as with this here Starbreaker. No wonder if you know that the band is built up around one of the best vocalists of all time, Mr Tony Harnell. A recognizable, emotional voice with an extraordinary range is what made him to what he is now: the excellent frontman of two bands, TNT and Westworld in particular. And now we may add Starbreaker, a band that surely lives up to its name and which is completed by Swedish axeman Magnus Karlsson (Last Tribe, Lande/Allen), bass player Fabrizio Grossi (better known as one of Italy’s best producers of today) and – last but not least – drummer John Macaluso (Ark, Yngwie Malmsteen, Riot, TNT).
One thing is for sure: I have never heard Tony Harnell sing in such a heavy way as on this eponymous debut album from Starbreaker. That’s the reason why its style is not described as melodic hard rock (as expected), but as melodic METAL. Says Tony: “I am convinced that this album will turn heads, shatter ears and crush hearts. This is probably the most special thing I have been involved with for years. It’s a blend of traditional and contemporary hard rock/metal that has never been done like this before. It’s heavy, epic, majestic and hugely melodic. I am a big fan of this music. This is an album I would probably buy myself.” Producer and bandmate Fabrizio Grossi adds: “Tony and John were cornerstones in my shaping up and the Swede (he means Magnus Karlsson) was a great icing on the cake.” Well, what can I do more than confirm what both band members just have said. “Starbreaker” is an album that hardly leaves my CD player, because the album is filled with almost only highlights. Among the songs that I like most for the moment are “Lies”, “Crushed”, “Days Of Confusion”, “Light At The End Of The World” (the absolute highlight!) and “Underneath A Falling Sky”. I’m overwhelmed and as such this is the first album of this year that deserves the full six stars from me. I can only hope that more Starbreaker albums will follow this one… (CL)
 

---

Members' opinions

post your opinion

guitarman (on 14/03/09) POWER AND MELODY TOGETHER= STARBREAKER!!!!!   Michal (on 1/01/09) -   Metalrob4662 (on 14/09/07) Excellent CD...reminds me of Masterplan and Ark...Production is good   monkey (on 21/06/06) Dissapoinment. Ordinary nu-metal.   Modulator (on 25/01/06) Everywhere says that this is the real thing. Well, I don't see nothing more than pretty solid modern rock band!   Ghostbuster (on 25/10/05) great album, i don't like the production much (mix?), drums are a bit thin.   HIBA (on 13/09/05) What a mistake would it have been, leaving this album in the shops... this one will be in my top 5 for this year, and I thought it was going to be a slow one... Great melodies, modern production and class performances !   rkblues (on 4/06/05) Great CD...one of the best of the year so far with Soul Sirkus.   Gordy (on 19/05/05) What a great album this is. Ofcoarse, how could it not be when it features Magnus Karlsson on guitar? And Tony Harnell is always a pleasure to listen to. Undoubtedly one of the best albums so far this year.   cradle1scot (on 8/05/05) excellent cd. Thumbs up fro me   ChrisHolmes (on 24/04/05) I like this album very much. If u want to hv heavy tunes and AOR melody ... THIS IS IT. Great album   mrbungle72 (on 18/04/05) Superb! Like last TNT album here we listen to catchy songs and Harnell is singing like hell. I hope the next titles from both bands be release very soon.   Noddy (on 13/04/05) Don't be too impressed with the fact Tony Harnell sings on this one. TNT it is not and Westworld it is not either. Indeed Magnus Karlsson's band Last Tribe are a classier act than this (yet another!) Fabrizio Grossi helmed project from Frontiers.   melodic rocks (on 11/04/05) Aaaaaaaaaaaah, Tony Harnell back in another great outfit.....not as classy a the best Westworld records and the greatness of TNT, but with Magnus Karlsson ( Last Tribe) and a solid backbone of John Macaluso and Fabrizio Grossi on his side nothing can go wrong.......a very heavy and powerful album with great songs and passionate vocals. The songs even have a certain ´Masterplan-touch´ and although there are some one dimensional structures in some parts, the quality is outstanding and the production stands firm and mighty ! Great record !   rodrigo666 (on 10/04/05) Wow, amazing album! Great energy, great musicians, great songs! The instrumental parts are amazing, the production is top notch, everything is so just perfect on this album!   AOR Ive (on 10/04/05) I had some realy big expactations about this one and made that's the reason why this isn't as perfect as I expected . All the ingredients are there , great songs , a close to perfect production and o fcourse a world class singer and top notch musicians , but I just didn't feel the magic . Maybe I have to listen to this album some more , but after three listens I feel that it's a great album , but at least 3 or 4 albums will end up higher on a position in my top 10 of 2005 as this one .   AORPOMPY (on 10/04/05) What can I say ? Indeed, a great one, but not the best so far !   Beet (on 2/04/05) Great album,just what we needed.   Mase (on 1/04/05) absolutely awesome,best album i've heard cince tnt's my religion.   GlenRavine (on 31/03/05) Great productions, vocals and tight musicians putting it all together. Great.   WOLF 359 (on 31/03/05) Simply put brilliant   KVK (on 30/03/05) Indeed a great album...

 

---

Post your opinion

You have to be registered and logged in to post your opinion. Log in.