Album review: SUNSTORM – Brothers In Arms

Frontiers [Release date: 12.08.22]

All that accumulated weight from the Joe Lynn Turner era has been thrown overboard, and Version 2 of the new, invigorated Sunstorm is writing and performing with confidence and skill.

Ronnie Romero remains from Version 2′s debut, Afterlife. That fine axeman, Simone Mularoni has gone and is replaced by Luca Princiotta, currently holding down lead guitar spot in Doro’s band (and has been for several years).

Princiotta adds so much to this recording. The band is as tight as the proverbial drum, collusive almost, and it’s the guitarman as much as Romero who makes it work. Two of the album’s most powerful slices of metallised heavy rock, ‘No Turning Back’ and ‘Living Out Of Fear’ are laced with Princiotta’s tuneful, razor sharp axework, underlining the passion in both songs.

The opening and title track, ‘Brothers In Arms’ is clearly a strong statement of continuity, following on from last years’ Afterlife. This lineup is again paying homage to the original band.

That said, while the loud and polished hard rock formula is similar, it’s not the same. It’s ramped up and more melodic in places perhaps, imbuing genre tropes with more contemporary touches on he skilfully crafted, hard’n'heavy rock of ‘I Will Remember’ and ‘Games People Play’.

Let’s not forget Romero. We noted in our review of After Life that he has made some modification to his vocals, finding a slighty earthier, soulful pitch than we might expect. When it comes to songs like ‘Lost In The Shadows Of Love’ and ‘Back My Dreams’ – the kind of impassioned stuff that demands a big canvas – Romero is still clearly capable of reaching for the epic, Rainbow moment that makes or breaks an album.

Looks like the legacy remains in good hands. ***1/2

Review by Brian McGowan

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