CHINA BLUE - review added 5th January 2009
Album Review: Twilight Of Destiny (2008)
For fans of: hard rock... and music that's deeper than it is wide
China Blue is the baby of keyboard player to the stars Eric Ragno. Twilight Of Destiny has been in the making for almost twenty years. Who says Guns 'n' Roses take a long time to record an album?
This release consists of the best material written all those years ago plus some newer work, all recorded in a bang up to date style by musicians including Josh Ramos and Fabrizio Grossi. TNT singer Tony Mills fronts the project, unleashing his high-register vocals all over the show.
The vibe of this record is hard to describe. The sound is busy for sure, and there's a depth of instrumentation you could sail a submarine through undetected. It can be hard to listen to in places, but it certainly isn't hard to be impressed by the talent. There's plenty of battlefield drumbeats and train-over-bridge bass, but the real star is the guitar work. You'd be forgiven for thinking Satriani was playing on this album. The fretwork is simply stunning.
Tony Mills' is on rude form too. He comes across like the love child of Tony Harnell and Steve Walsh (on the first Khymera record). There's no doubting his commitment though, and he does bring across his own character with aplomb.
So, we have a great line-up and astonishing musicianship. Why am I not sure about this album? A few things...
The songs blend into one another in places. There are a few standout moments, notably 'I Feel Like Dying', but the album tends to come across as a showcase of talent rather than a release to get the blood flowing. Also, that depth of sound can be overwhelming on occasions. I hate shallow tinny music, but this often bursts out the other end of the planet. It almost makes you feel sorry for your speakers.
Although Twilight Of Destiny is a record that gets better every time you hear it, it'll never find your g-spot. Even after my umpteenth trawl from start to finish my loins remain remarkably unimpressed.
Check out... The musicianship on 'A Last Goodbye'. Very, very... very good.
Track List:
1. What Do You Need But Love
2. I Feel Like Dying
3. Changing Ways
4. So Wrong
5. Don't Be A Stranger
6. Crimes
7. Passions
8. Movin' On
9. Twilight Of Destiny
10. Lost
11. Take Me As I Am
12. A Last Goodbye
Label: Frontiers Records
Artist's websites: Eric Ragno , MySpace
