Hardline - Life Live
Released 14/2/20
Album review by; DeeDee
Not many bands that formed back in the early 90s, have maintained the drive and passion for their music as much as Hardline. This is mainly down to Johnny Gioeli, the last original member. The frontman still has a remarkable voice and his stage presence is second to none. Even though the heady days with Neil Schon and Rudy Sarzo are a distant memory, the current line-up is impressive, with Frontiers man Alessandro Del Vecchio on keyboards and adding extra vocals. The essence of that hard rock band from LA is still firmly held in Gioelis’ hands, music, tours and the spirit continues. Recorded at the FRONTIERS MUSIC FESTIVAL 2019, Hardline have captured the atmosphere of that event. Between numbers Johnny Gioeli exchanges genuine and sincere conversations with the audience, you can almost feel the warmth of his breath, he’s that alluring.
The recent ‘Place To Call Home’ begins with a driving force, there’s no gentle warm up with this band, hard rock starts from the onset. Full on and in command, Gioeli leads the others with a deluge of vibrant vocals. The pace is unrelenting as we go straight into ‘Takin Me Down’ from 1992, a throbbing guitar riff and more crispness from the lead man. ‘Dr Love’ also from the debut album, is fired up with no intermission, this is pure pulsating ecstasy, love this one, the rhythm is steady and slowly penetrates. The guitar bursting into ‘Where Will We Go From Here’ is accompanied by magical keyboards from Del Vecchio and soothing strings follow on; this track is from the 2016 work ‘Human Nature’. Finally a breather as the vocalist shares a moment with the crowd, thanking them for their support over the years. ‘Page of Your Life’ another new song is a ballad, so the tempo slows and the keys are prominent. It builds into epic proportions, producing lyrics that reflect time, with more stunning guitar from the impressive Mario Percudani, who has a Biography as long as your arm, several Guitar Endorsements and a Discography even longer than your leg.
Gioeli introduces a special guest for ‘Life’s A Bitch’ and the crowd cheer in anticipation at the emergence of Deen Castronovo, who sits in on this one. The current Dead Daisies sticks-man, is also an original member of Hardline and the version of this 1992 number must be seen as a classic moment for Hardline fans. Cries of ‘Deen’ are heard when he leaves the stage. After more classical strings from Mario and powerful lines from Gioeli during ‘In the Hands Of Time’ we go back to ‘Human Nature’ again to hear ‘(Love Is Gonna) Take You Home’ another slow climb and a ballad with vocals, simple keys and needing very little else, a beautiful song. A brace off ‘Double Eclipse’ with ‘Everything’ and the more hardened rocker ‘Hot Cherie’ vary the set and the drums of Marco Di Salvia really stand out on the latter. As does bassist Anna Portalupi, who holds the lower rhythm so tight. Off ‘Danger Zone’ from 2012 , ‘Fever Dreams’ is a melodic number and another with a running pace, plenty of strong and direct vocals. The last track ‘Rhythm From A Red Car’ again a classic from 1992, is a worthy finish.
The 6th studio album ‘LIFE’ came out in April 2019 on Frontiers Records and although this album is titled ‘LIFE LIVE’ it’s not totally comprised of the same tracks. In fact several on this live album already feature on the 2003 ‘Live At The Gods 2002’, which leads you to think the older numbers, mainly from the debut 1992 album ‘Double Eclipse’ are superior. Far from it, the mixture of old and new blend really well, Hardline are as solid as ever. In fact this is one of the finest live albums I have had the pleasure of hearing for quite a while. The production is so clear you forget it is actually a live performance.
4.5/5
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Hardline are;
Johnny Gioeli – Lead Vocals
Alessandro Del Vecchio - Keyboards/ Vocals
Mario Percudani - Guitar
Anna Portalupi - Bass
Marco Di Salvia – Drums
LIFE LIVE can be purchased from here;
https://www.frontiers.shop/new-releases/997/hardline-life-live-cd-dvd-jewelcase
More details and up to date information can be found on their FACEBOOK / [hardlinerocks] Instagram pages or Website; http://www.hardlinerocks.com