Passion - Passion

Album review by; DeeDee 

 

Daniel Rossall grew up listening to his parents blasting out AC/DC and those big hair bands of the late 80’s early 90’s. Being into rock music his entire life and learning guitar when he was at school, Daniel or as he likes to be known these days ‘Lion Ravarez’, still has a liking for that aforementioned era. Since leaving his former band ‘Night By Night’ (Highly rated by Rick Savage of Def Leppard) Lion has put together his dream band ‘Passion’. A man of many talents he has written, arranged and produced this self titled debut album, he also played most of the instruments. Ten tracks that are original but sway heavily on his influences from the past, so no apologies for references to other bands in this review. Landing a deal with Frontiers Music, speaks volumes for the standard of this band and just how much they are already gripping attention.  

 

Passion start they mean to go on as ‘Intensity’ fires up on all cylinders from the very first note, a thumping introduction with superb guitar and Lion’s majestic voice. Really catchy with the backing vocals chanting ‘Intensity’ to enrich the finish. The first single ’Trespass On Love’ has more swagger and certainly has a Danger Danger and in parts Foreigner feel to it. Lion has said he was heavily into Michael Bolton in his younger days and that powerful type of delivery comes across. ’Too Bad For Baby’ has a riff straight from the Sunset strip, raunchy cock rock, fully overloaded with pumping vocals and screaming guitar, very much like Ratt, Wasp and even a little AC/DC. 

 

We get a more honest and serious track next as ‘Lost In The Dark’ tackles dealing with depression and that gloomy place we can sometimes find ourselves in. It flows along with plenty of rhythm without turning into a ballad, Passion are not heading in that direction. One of my favourites on the album ‘Back’ again has a great riff and stacks of energy, a simple throbbing beat, behind the incredible vocals and it harkens back to bands like Slaughter and Cinderella. ’Victims Of Desire’ is so theatrical, yes it’s Kiss inspired, but Passion take the basic elements of bands like this and stamp their mark on the results. The next track ‘We Do What We Want’ is another that saunters along the sidewalk, managing a Van Halen type of song without any overripe cheesiness. The guitar is gutter swiping and the drumming never falters. A simple backing chant, gives it oozing sex appeal. 

 

With a song called ‘Built To Please’ Passion pay homage to the females of the community. Full of bravado and brimming over with confidence, they certainly hit it bang on the nail; again the influences ring through with the likes of Whitesnake and Lynch Mob. Another that AC/DC would be proud of is ‘She Bites Hard’ the vocals again are at the highest level and the riff is simple but adherent. The last track ‘Big Game’ is a meaty finale, more powerful and strident. 

 

So wow, what a debut, Passion have delivered quite an astonishing album. All the credibility of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s Hard Rock sounds without cloning or coming over as total stereotypes. 

 

Lion "we wanted to create an act using fictional characters (hence the names) as we feel humour is positive, after all this is the entertainment industry. Don't let that confuse you though; we're not a joke band. We're deeply passionate about creating high quality rock music and we're also very enthusiastic about entertaining an audience.”

 

4/5 

 

Stream the single, 'Trespass On Love' and order the debut album, PASSION  - HERE: https://radi.al/Passion 

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Watch the video for 'Trespass On Love' HERE: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tracklist:

1. Intensity

2. Trespass On Love

3. Too Bad For Baby

4. Lost In The Dark

5. Back

6. Victims Of Desire

7. We Do What We Want

8. Built To Please

9. She Bites Hard

10. Big Game

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