ROYAL HUNT – 20th Anniversary

Label: Frontiers Records

Release Date: November 23, 2012

Rating: 8/10

Reviewed by: ToddStar

Once again, one of my PR friends sent some music my way from another band that I have never heard of.  Sometimes they are spot on and other times they couldn’t be more off the mark for me.  I always take at least two listens through to determine if a band is for me or not.  It only took one listen to the last release, a greatest hits collection, from this band to determine they were worth the listen and quite good at what they do.  This 3 CD / 1 DVD collection is a great retrospective of the band, as all of the tracks seem to fire on all cylinders.  The musicianship on these tracks are great.  This is really good melodic rock that has stood the test of time, as they have 11 releases over the past 20 years.  I have to be honest, I keep drawing comparisons in my mind to the band Europe, but I think it is the soaring vocals, guitar solos, and keyboards.

There are a few tracks that really stand out in my mind.  From Disc 1, “Clown In The Mirror” really stands up, although it isn’t a real rocker.  “Time” jumps out there and rocks from the first sounds until the track ends.  “River of Pain” is another rocker that has solid playing from the rhythm section and some great guitar work.  “Message To God” is one of my favorites on the whole collection.  The bass line is pounding, keyboards are meshed well against the guitar work, and the vocals are solid.  Disc 2 offers up some great tracks.  “Paper Blood” is another track that really stands out.  From the chugging guitar intro to the killer vocals, this song oozes rock attitude.  “The First Rock” keeps the attitude alive and has some great keyboard/guitar play.  The soaring vocals add to the track as well.  “Hard Rain’s Coming” is another track that stands out, but probably because it is a little different from most of the other tracks here.  The tempo shifts and the the guitar work is a little more subdued, but great nonetheless.  “Half Past Loneliness” has a sexy bass line to open the track, and the rhythm section plays their hearts out on this track, between the drums, bass, and keyboards.  Disc 3 opens with new track, “Save Me.”  This song demonstrates how the band has evolved, but held on to all that made them what they are.  “U-Turn” is a great ballad that has one of the coolest and sexiest grooves running through it.  The vocals are some of the best on this collection.  This has to be my favorite track.  The collection closes with “Day Is Dawning.”  This is a cool track that deviates from the rest of the collection.  I can only hope for more like this in the future from this band… now that I know who they are.  Thanks for waking me up Dustin.

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Category: CD Reviews