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HARDLINE - Heart, Mind And Soul - 8.5/108.5/10
Summary
Frontiers Music
Release date: July 9, 2021
[spoiler title=’Metal Express Radio – Ratings Scale’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]
10.0: Cannot be improved! Perfect, instant classic! Essential in any record collection.
9.5 – 9.9: Fantastic, spectacular and outstanding!
9.0 – 9.4: Amazing release! It just lacks that little extra spice to make it perfect.
8.5 – 8.9: Exceptional release! Will likely rank among top ten albums of the year.
8.0 – 8.4: Great release! It has many different qualities.
7.5 – 7.9: Above average! It is an enjoyable release.
7.0 – 7.4: It is not brilliant, but has many strong points.
6.0 – 6.9: It has its moments, but is not that strong.
5.0 – 5.9: Slightly above average, does not stand out. Good outweighs bad by just a little.
4.0 – 4.9: Just below average, bad outweighs good by just a little.
3.0 – 3.9: Mediocre. There might be a song or a performance that is enjoyable, but that is it.
2.0 – 2.9: Very weak! There might be a light at the end of the tunnel, too many flaws.
1.0 – 1.9: This release gives the word “terrible” new meaning.
0.1 – 0.9: Awful! Avoid at all cost. There is nothing good to say about this release.
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User Review
( vote)The Backstory
Hardline’s 1992 release Double Eclipse might have just been the pinnacle of Hard Rock/AOR music. Two New York brothers, Joey & Johnny Gioeli, teamed up with Bad English/Journey veterans Neal Schon and Deen Catronovo, and David Lee Roth/Alice Cooper bassist Todd Jensen to create a masterpiece that would live in infamy forever. The only problem was 1992 was a bit too late for their sound.
After a seven year exile, the band was resurrected in 1999. Vocalist Johnny Gioeli is the only original member of Hardline remaining, but his current lineup may just be on par with the first. 2019’s Life and 2020’s Live Life display a band firing on all cylinders. Can Hardline’s 2021 release Heart, Mind And Soul keep the momentum going?
[Watch our Johnny Gioeli interview HERE]The Album
Hardline kicks things off with lots of bombastic energy on the opening track “Fuel to the Fire.” “Surrender” is a call-to-arms for those down and discouraged with themselves. Gioeli is delivering a melodic pep talk about never giving up. Bassist Anna Portalupi and drummer Marco Di Salvia are tight in the pocket for this one. The piano-like keyboards of Alessandro Del Vecchio are front and center on the up tempo ballad “If I Could I Would.”
“Like That” is accented by the clean acoustic strums of Mario Percudani. He busts out his electric axe to deliver the right emotion to the solo section. Gioeli is smooth and powerful in his delivery. Double-kick drums lead the charge on “Waiting for Your Fall,” while Gioeli once again inspires the listener to not give in to your retractors. Love is a splendid and crazy thing, and according to Hardline, it’s also “The Curse.”
On the flip side, love breaks down and that’s what the mid-tempo rocker “Heartless delves into. The riffage and groove of “80’s Moment” will have you recalling the days of the first Hardline album, complete with big melodies and a catchy over the top chorus. The acoustic ballad “We Belong” closes out with album with plenty of emotion and vigor.
The Verdict
Every Hardline album released since their reformation in 1999 was just a stepping stone to Heart, Mind And Soul. Hardline is at their best here, whether they are rocking out or crooning a ballad. Lyrically, the album is appropriately titled because the songs feed your heart, mind, and soul. Hardline is surely on their way to eclipsing Double Eclipse.
Tracklist
- Fuel To The Fire
- Surrender
- If I Could I Would
- Like That
- Heavenly
- Waiting For Your Fall
- The Curse
- Heartless
- Searching For Grace
- ‘80s Moment
- We Belong
Hardline is
Johnny Gioeli – Lead Vocals
Alessandro Del Vecchio – Keyboards
Mario Percudani – Guitars
Anna Portalupi – Bass
Marco Di Salvia – Drums
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