Eye Of The Storm

The Storm

Here we 're talking bout the band, the vocalist, the AOR genre and the relevance […]
By Grigoris Chronis
August 26, 2008
The Storm - Eye Of The Storm album cover

Here we 're talking bout the band, the vocalist, the AOR genre and the relevance to JOURNEY. OK, many 'meliodic' fans may not be familiar with the THE STORM name, but - anyway - who'd be less than happy succeeding in re-discovering a monument in the AOR field? Eye Of The Storm is an album previously rare as hell - many do not even know it was ever released, briefly, through Music For Nations in 1995 - and more than tons of applaud goes to Krescendo Records for re-releasing this magnificent gem.
Kevin Chalfant (TWO FIRES, 707, ALAN PARSONS PROJECT, SHOOTING STAR) is the singer multiplatinum American rockers JOURNEY didn't finally achieve record an album with (the mid-90s reunion with Steve Perry is to blame, I can recall). His majestic voice, a 'bible' for the genre, is responsible for the first THE STORM album - released by Interscope Records in late 1991 - also featuring JOURNEY members Ross Valory and Gregg Rolie, along with the grandiose work of guitarist Josh Ramos (HARDLINE, TWO FIRES, LE MANS, THE VU). If you 're 'into' the AOR style and do not own this labum, blame yourselves and only...and then try to buy/borrow/steal it in any way.
Eye Of The Storm (destined to be an even 'higher status' album but not released in due time) is more American than its predecessor. If you think that's good/bad/the same or whatever, just delete any thought and call it quits. Eye Of The Strom bears an even more 'melodic' blend, and that's all. Else, it's great FM Rock destined to conquer your CD player if you still find yourself fond of JOURNEY, REO SPEEDWAGON, FOREIGNER and the rest of the 'keys-driven Radio Rock' clan. Livin' It Up is pop-groovy, Don't Give Up brings on a great positive touch, while - on the other hand - Love Isn't Easy will unveil the familiar mid-tempo SURVIVOR-ish mix; the same goes for Fight For The Right. I Won't Be The One and Give Me Tonight 'go' Jeff Paris or West Coast or SEVENTH KEY in between...
Chalfant's voice is grand, absolute and passionate; I love this man's throat. Think of Dave Bickler, Steve Perry, John Waite and Bryan Adams in one. The rest of the crew is in top level, too, and - to a set of twelve equally notable tracks - you will fail trying to find something not well-presented. Hell, look at the lineup and tell the truth...Eye Of The Storm is an album that's - thankfully - out on the loose (at last!) for all American Melodic Rock fans. Do not even think not buying this!

8 / 10

Excellent

"Eye Of The Storm" Track-listing:

Don't Give Up
Waiting For The World To Change
I Want To Be The One
To Have And To Hold
Livin' It Up
Love Isn't Easy
Fight For The Right
Give Me Tonight
Soul Of A Man
What Ya Doing Tonight?
Come In Out Of The Rain
Long Time Coming

The Storm Lineup:

Gregg Rolie - Lead Vocals, Keyboards
Kevin Chalfant - Lead Vocals
Josh Ramos - Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Vocals
Ross Valory - Bass, Vocals
Ron Wikso - Drums

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