Frontiers [Release date 14.04.23]
On his second album now fronting Archon Angel, Zak Stevens probably couldn’t tell you how many albums he’s appeared on.
We’ll help him out: Since 1993, five as Savatage’s frontman, five up front with The TSO and seven with Circle II Circle. Plus one off appearances in bands like Machines Of Grace, Empires of Eden and a dozen or so more.
And yet that soaring tenor voice is still intact. In fact on this, his second album with Archon Angel, it sounds stronger than ever.
The band is essentially guitarist / writer / producer Aldo Lonobile’s melodic metal vehicle, and he couldn’t have wished for a better vocalist.
Stevens takes the fragile quality of the music (it’s there if you look for it) and amplifies it several fold, giving it the epic emotional weight the songs deserve.
The growth of ‘The Wake Of Emptiness’ from a monastic, prayer like beginning to an electrifying, exciting piece of rock opera, and ‘Quicksand’s quick change parade of spine tingling synth orchestrations might have misfired had it not been for Stevens.
It doesn’t matter that he doesn’t hit every note on the nose, because he pours his heart and soul into the music. His voice just soars.
Even the “ordinary” material, like ‘Away From The Sun’ and ‘One Last Reflection’ (which would probably shine on many other artists’ albums), comes to life because in Stevens hands, they are turned into dramatically thrilling pieces of theatre.
Inevitably, that makes the two genuine standout tracks, ‘Afterburn’ and ‘Lake Of Fire’ really, truly, especially good. ****
Review by Brian McGowan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
Next session: SUNDAY 26 MAY
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 28 April 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 30 April 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 13 May 2024
THE FEVER KINGS Nowhere To Hide (indie)
STONETRIP Beautiful You (Golden Robot Records)
ONLAP Ghosts (AFM Records)
DEFENCES The Curse (Long Branch Records)
LATE NIGHT TROUBLE Pretty Little Thing (indie)
IANN BRENNAN Game Over (AGR Records)
Featured Albums w/c 13 May 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 DEMON – Invincible (Frontiers)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to an X (Twitter) account
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
