Album review: PINNACLE POINT – Symphony Of Mind

Escape Music [Release date 17.07.20]

Pinnacle Point released their debut album ‘Winds Of Change’ back in 2017 and the band features vocalist Jerome Mazza (Angelica, Outlaw Son, Steve Walsh) and guitarist Torben Enevoldsen (Fate, Acacia Avenue, Section A). They are joined by violinist Valeria Pozharitskaya, drummer Mark Prator, bassist Takeaki Itoh, pianist John F. Rodgers and Howard Helm, of cult pomp rockers Zon, on keyboards and synth.

The opening trio on here are worth getting the album for. First up the instrumental pomp of ‘Asscent’, this is swiftly followed by ‘So Alive’, which you would swear was Steve Walsh fronted Kansas, made even more so by the violin playing of Valeria Pozharitskaya. Then comes the album’s real stand out, the melodic rocker ‘Weight Of The World’. A wonderful mix of prime time melodic rock with a few prog touches and a top notch guitar solo.

Mind you the album keeps on giving as ‘Hero’ is a classy mix of the Kansas 70s pomp sound (with a little bit of the ‘Power’ album on the drums in particular), with the band’s own spin. Or enjoy the piano playing of John F. Rodgers on ‘In The Wake Of Hope’. Needless to say Jerome Mazza’s vocals are a key ingredient of the album, coupled with the talented musicians who each have their time on the spotlight throughout the album.

This summer we are spoilt really as not only are Kansas releasing their new album, we have this second album from Pinnacle Point, a band who certainly owe a lot in their sound to Kansas. In fact, if you hanker for the Steve Walsh fronted days of that band Pinnacle Point will be right up your musical street. Pomp it up and enjoy! ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)