SUICIDE STAR–“The Day that Christmas Comes” (2021)
Suicide Star recorded a Christmas song? Then you know it’s going to rock heavy! To make it even more interesting, this is not some overplayed Christmas pop hit from years past. It’s a brand new original song, and the first new single since their excellent debut album Isolation. Let’s celebrate!
As soon as singer Rob Barton opens his mouth, you know it’s Suicide Star. He makes the band easy to identify even on shuffle. Anchored by a melodic guitar line from Les Serran, “The Day that Christmas Comes” relays the bright hopeful feeling of the Christmas season.
There will be presents underneath the tree… But the only thing I need, is you and me.
Lyrically the song captures the spirit and magic of Christmas. Most importantly, the melodic tune (complete with jingle bells) makes it a delight to rock out to. Production is stellar – up there with the album or even exceeding it. There is even a fun and hilarious music video that really nails the Christmas vibe. Well done, Suicide Star, and may your trees be overloaded with joy this Christmas!
If you are looking for something classic but modern, with lyrics that matter, then cease your quest. Suicide Star’s debut called Isolation should be the salve that your soul is craving. From the ashes of former band Step Echo, with new lead singer Rob Barton, this band is ready to kick 2021’s ass.
CD buyers get a bonus that streamers and downloaders do not — an intro before the lead track “I Survive”. This intro, complete with air raid siren, explains the “suicide star” concept (with a shout-out to Neil DeGrasse Tyson). It’s an explosive astronomy lesson! Isolation is available now, just give the band a shout on social media and it’ll be in your hot little hands before you know it.
Opener “I Survive” is a positive start, with lyrics like “We’ve only just begun, this is the place where I wanna feel alive.” Rob Barton’s got the pipes and the band has the heft. Uptempo and heavy, this is the kind of rock we need right now. The riff by seven-stringer Les Serran kicks, and bassist Aki Maris has the groove locked with drummer Brian Hamilton (also of Storm Force). If you wanted something energetic and defiant this summer, here ya go.
The first video is for “Mercy”, another upbeat and catchy number. Each one of these songs has hooks, both vocal and guitar, and “Mercy” just doesn’t let up. “Have mercy on my anger,” sings Barton with intent. Lots going on here lyrically, but framed in such a way that you can relate to the words in whatever way suits you.
After two sledgehammer tunes, the track “Suicide Star” delivers melodies that are more on the pop side, but with the heavy backing intact. “Hold on, before you go too far, don’t you know who you are? You’re a suicide star.” Cannot get that chorus out of the skull!
The “power ballad” (if you will) is “Eye of the Storm”, but the emphasis is still on the “power” rather than the “ballad”. It has a majestic guitar riff, and lyrics with some serious heart. Barton sings ’em with passion, which is necessary when the band rocks this heavy behind.
Back to a tune with a classic metal vibe, “21 Guns” has kick and melody. “Just say you will,” goes the unforgettable chorus, with some killer chords in behind. Then comes the heavy “Follow” with a staggering riff, and Priest-like vibes. The lyrics are fascinating and open to multiple interpretations. It certainly could be about the last year! “When the lie becomes the truth…”
“Love Me Like You Mean It” has a Darkness kind of riff; tremendous hooks. This continues into “No Looking Back”, another lyric that could be about current times. “I just roll with the changes,” sings Barton. We can all relate to that. The hooks don’t let up on “Fractured”, a more plaintive yet still heavy rocker. The final track is appropriately titled “The Unknown” and concludes the album-length series of catchy vocals and guitar parts.
By the time you’re done the album, you’re still fresh to go in for a second listen. There is enough going on in terms of guitars and lyrics that you’ll want multiple listens to drink it all in.
4.5/5 stars
Check out this interview by Deke and I with Rob and Brian from Suicide Star. Get an appreciation for the album and what it took to make it.
Suicide Star is the hot new band featuring singer Rob Barton, drummer Brian Hamilton, bassist Aki Maris, and guitarist Les Serran. Metal with a modern twist — classic music, new songs, vital lyrics. An album written and recorded during and of this time, but with an eye on the future. A hard rocking, uplifting, heartfelt album aptly titled Isolation.
Deke and I had the pleasure of speaking to Brian and Rob about many topics. Among them:
The genesis of the band
The making of the album (remotely)
The music video for “Mercy”
The next video
The meaning of the lyrics
The future of recording and playing live
Brian’s history with New Wave
To solo or not to solo?
New Storm Force
Check out the band on your favourite streaming services such as Spotify, Amazon, or buy the CD from the band. As revealed in this interview, the CD version has additional content not available to stream. Physical product! Check them out on Facebook.
Big thanks to Rob and Brian for coming on the show with us music nerds, and congratulations on a wicked CD.
Another big thank-you to last Friday’s guest Robert Lawson, who sent me a signed copy of his book Razama-Snaz! The Listener’s Guide to Nazareth. I opened the package near the start of the video.
We hope you enjoyed this show. Deke is off for summer holidays! Thank you Deke for an awesome 2021 season. Check out his new show with T-Bone, “Scotch On the Rocks”, coming this fall.
The LeBrain Train: 2000 Words or More with Mike and Deke
Saturday – Episode 73 – Brian and Rob from Suicide Star
Brian Hamilton, drummer for the awesome Storm Force, has a new band called Suicide Star! Itching to keep making music, Hamilton and his bandmates from former group Step Echo found lead singer Rob Barton online, who had recently gotten back into music. When the four decided to unite, Covid shut the world down. But that couldn’t stop them and a new album called Isolation is here to rock the summer of ’21. The CD was mixed by Hamilton and is out now.
This Friday, June 25, Brian and Rob join Deke and Mike on the LeBrain Train. We’ll talk about the album in depth, the members, and what it’s been like trying to launch a new project during Covid. Don’t miss this show – as usual you’ll want to catch it live and have your questions asked!
STORM FORCE – “Breathe” featuring Serena Pryne (2020 Escape Music video)
Our rock and roll friends Storm Force have released a new video for “Breathe”, and a good one it is!
These days when a band drops a new video, are you often disappointed? Many videos today are low budget slideshows of still photos, or crude animations. This was the trend even before Covid. Unless you’re AC/DC, few go to the trouble of actually filming a concept/performance music video anymore. Storm Force did a good one with “Pretty Vegas”, and now they are back to blow minds with “Breathe”, one of the strongest tunes on the new album Age of Fear.
“Breathe” deserved a proper video, and Storm Force deliver. Lead singer Patrick Gagliardi sings from behind bars, but is it the prison of the mind? He is joined by vocalist extraordinaire Serena Pryne, who has the grit and power of people like the highly respected Sass Jordan. Although the lyrics are open enough to work with many interpretations, the song is about mental health, and having someone there to support you. The video has the right tone and passion for this serious subject. But if you want, you can just enjoy it as a mighty power ballad.
Of course, guitarist Greg Fraser has plenty of experience with music videos. His solo on “Breathe” is cool because you can hear that it is him by the tone and technique. Drummer Brian Hamilton and bassist Mike Berardelli create a really cool groove on this track, and Hamilton looks imposing and fearless in the video.
One must also credit Gagliardi for a collection of increasingly cool hats.
If 2020 is indeed the Age of Fear, then at least Storm Force have brought us the album that we deserve for all our suffering. Released before the pandemic but with some eerily relevant lyrics to our current time, Age of Fear is one of the most kickass discs you are going to hear this year.
Storm Force features the stellar talents of former Brighton Rock guitarist Greg Fraser, powerhouse singer Patrick Gagliardi, drum monster Brian Hamilton, and groovin’ bassist Mike Berardelli. Fans of Brighton Rock (R.I.P.) will recognize the tone and stylings of the six-string magician they call Fraze. That said, Gagliardi’s arena-sized vocals cords are what will draw you in to this band immediately.
Storm Force waste little time cutting to the chase. The single-ready “Because of You” opens with some epic sci-fi keyboards that might have you feeling you’re at the intro to a progressive concept album. But then Fraze hits you with a cool stuttery riff, and Patrick’s in your ears with a classic hard rock voice with grit and range to spare. But you want hooks? Storm Force deliver on “Because of You”, a song that would have been a massive hit in an earlier time.
Without letup it’s the title track “Age of Fear”, ushered in by the mountainous drumming of Brian Hamilton. He and Mike Berardelli are locked in. The riff has a bit of Darkness and the melody has shades of Dio. It’s an uptempo blast through midnight, but even that is just a warmup for the third track “Breathe”. With guest vocals from Serena Pryne, it’s a full-on epic. Keyboard accents lend it appropriate drama. This song is massive, powerful and perfect. In another universe, a hit. Watch for a music video coming soon.
“Ember Rain” gives us the first true ballad. The ringing acoustics and storytelling guitar solos recall some of the best of late 80s Whitesnake. Listen to the bass roll, and how the sparingly and effectively the drum fills are used. After a ballad, it’s best to chase it with a heavy headbanger. “Ride Like Hell” is a vicious road tune that Axl Rose wishes he wrote. The chorus nails it home, and the solos are eloquent.
“Dirty Vegas” was the first Storm Force video and you can hear why. With a title like “Dirty Vegas” you can count on a party tune. With bite, and a chorus that goes on for days. Music like this is what we need right now.
Storm Force know you need a comedown after a track like “Dirty Vegas” so an upbeat acoustic-based tune called “More Than You Know” is there to sooth your aching rock hangover. But it’s only temporary as “Marshall Law” has come to bust the door down! It takes a real singer to deliver on a track like this and Gagliardi is world-class. Truly one of the hottest on the scene today and one listen to “Marshall Law” is all it should take to convince you.
These guys know how to pace an album, and a piano ballad called “Different Roads” occupies the all-important second-to-last track. The vocals on this one are on a whole ‘nother level! Gagliardi can do so much with his voice that I could probably convince you that he is actually two singers. For penultimate tracks, “Different Roads” is one of those ballads that could close a record in its own right, but actually sets you up for one more knock to the skull. “Ringside”, like its title suggests, is not a ballad. It’s a high velocity adventure in heavy metal histrionics. And that closes the album with a slam!…
…Unless you’re one of the lucky who owns a Japanese CD (or an iTunes download). The bonus track on those formats is “Weight of the World”, a song certainly equal to the others on the album. A solid rocker, “Weight of the World” might express how some of us feel right now. “The weight of the world is tearing out the heart of me.” Ever felt that way?
Expertly constructed songs. Thoughtful lyrics. World class production by Darius Szczepaniak. Veteran performances by artists at the top of their craft. An album we desperately needed in 2020. Get Age of Fear.
5/5 stars
If you missed it, check out our live interview with Storm Force from September 4 2020 starting at the 0:16:50 mark. Thanks to Superdekes for helping setting that up.
Thanks to Greg Fraser, Patrick Gagliardi, and surprise guest Brian Hamilton of Storm Force for joining Deke and I Friday night! It was a free-form chat tackling subjects such as:
The album Age of Fear
Memorable impact gigs
Canadian Rock
New music
Secrets to singing
Thunder Bay
Touring and touring and touring
Brighton Rock and Gerry McGhee
And much much more!
In addition I did a CD reveal for this week’s mail. New music from Amazon and Buried On Mars! The only thing better than new discs is new discs from friends. These ones mean something to me, so check it out if you want to know what I’ll be spinning this weekend.
For the CD reveals, start at 0:04:15 of the stream.
For Storm Force, skip to 0:16:50of the stream.
Thanks again to Greg, Pat, Brian and Superdekes for setting this chat up. It was the first but won’t be the last.
The first great album of 2020 is upon us. Brighton Rock guitarist extraordinaire Greg Fraser has returned to the recording studio and emerged with Storm Force, a hot new band born out of the roots of the 80s.
I am hesitant to do a full-on “review” of Storm Force just yet. Why? It’s simple really. Some albums sound as if purposesly concocted for certain environments. I sense that Storm Force is going to sound bloody perfect this summer in the car with the windows down. In fact, I cannot wait to do it that way. I think this album demands it. Just like certain hard rock classics of the past just sound better on a warm afternoon on the highway.
Though the band has no weak links, it’s important to single out the strength of vocalist Patrick Gagliardi. (Check out Superdekes’ interview with Patrick by clicking here.) His power and range is reminiscent of singers such as Jack Russell and Axl Rose. There’s grit, soul and there are vocal acrobatics aplenty. Whether he’s singing a ballad or screaming a road-burner, Patrick is on point!
It cannot go unsaid that Greg Fraser has pulled some killer riffs out of the bag. These are classic hard rock riffs, and would have been at home on any Brighton Rock record from 1987-1991. Not to mention his lead work is still fantastic. Frase has a recognizable style and you can hear it on Age of Fear.
You won’t find a weak track inside, and they run the entire range that a hard rock album should. Closer “Ringside” is burning hot metal, but “Marshall Law” has a vibe akin to Lizzy’s “Jailbreak”. For a commercial “rock single”, check out “Because of You” which pushes all the buttons. “Different Roads” features piano like a classic Aeroballad from 1987. Hard to pick a favourite among these great tunes.
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