Album review: KHYMERA – Master Of Illusions

KHYMERA – Master Of Illusions

Frontiers [Release date 06.03.20]

Album number five from Khymera, who started out as an alliance between Italian producer & musician Daniele Liverani and then Kansas singer Steve Walsh. Khymera has since developed into a regular musical project when bassist and producer Dennis Ward (Magnum, Pink Cream 69) joined.

It has been five years since ‘The Grand Design’ album, with Dennis Ward (vocals, bass) joined by Michael Klein (guitars), Pete Newdeck (drums) and Eric Ragno (keyboards) on this latest album.

Opener ‘Walk Away’ rides in on a parpy keys and guitar riff, then we are off and rocking. This is typical Khymera, with an instant chorus and melody, topped off by Dennis Ward’s vocals. He will certainly prove to be a canny addition to the Magnum ranks given his production, playing and singing talents.

‘Follow The Sun’ recalls those sounds beloved of Mike Slammer produced albums, namely big layered backing vocals and precise, melodic guitar riffs. It really does hit the musical spot nicely.

The title track even has a hint of ELO about in the sign off strings/synths part, one of the album’s ‘go to’ songs. Like much of the album it is keyboards led recalling the halcyon days of bands like Guiffria and mid-80s Journey, albeit with a modern sound.

Of course there are ballads, ‘Father To Son’ has it all from the impassioned vocals of Dennis Ward through to the grandiose arrangements.

Khymera have hit the target again with an uplifting album of melodic rock gems. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie


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.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 14 April

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 7 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 2 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 15 April 2024

ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply