A New Promise (out on December 5th, 2005) is the Italian-based Khymera's second album after their homonymous debut in 2003. There are various alterations in the lineup since Pink Cream 69's bassist, Dennis Ward, has undertaken the vocals in Steve Walsh's (Kansas, ex-Streets) place, while the guitar playing tasks have been assigned to the 17(!) year old rookie Tommy Ermolli and Daniele Liverani (Genius Rock Opera) now maintains the bass and the keys. The Genius drummer Dario Ciccioni is the only stable presence.
Just like in Khymera, many composers are responsible for the album's songs. Most of the tracks are written by Tom and James Martin (ex-Sugartown) but If You Dare To Dream is Robin and Judith Randall's, Looking For You and After The Way are Don Barnes' and You Can't Take Me is a Jeff Scott Soto's contribution. The Damage Is Done is a Marcie Free's cover taken from the Tormented album (1996).
The first thing I should comment here is Dennis Ward appearing as a singer this time. The Pink Cream 69 bassist and Place Vendome composer presents another dimension of his remarkable talents. The man is an all-in-one case; maybe that's why he turns out to be Serafino Perugino's first choice when it comes to new and commercial, above all, projects. And I don't think many would question the Frontiers' president's commercial instincts. He has verified them very recently by gathering the ultimate all-star team for the highly promoted Place Vendome album. A New Promise is also a family matter. Daniele Liverani, the multi-virtuoso and another Frontiers' usual suspect has done the production (which could be a little more clear).
To the core now, this album is a very nice album! The songs' quality is very high and that's completely rational since so many people offered their inspiration and none of them had to squeeze his brain to complete a whole tracklist. A New Promise is a really up-to-date creation which has absorbed the finest AOR and Melodic Hard Rock influences. Liverani is the keyboards' miracle master as always and leads a very tight and concentrated band. You may also be surprised by the guitar work. That Ermolli guy sure has a bright feature in front of him, not that I had any doubt before listening to him. Sometimes the lineup and the label leave no space for such a suspicion. Efficiency is taken for granted and the listener only has to decide whether an album fits his personal taste and creative criteria.
I feel I owe Dennis Ward a more detailed opinion since it's his debut as a leading vocalist. It's just that this is an ideal debut. He displays rare comfort and sounds as convincing as an experienced vocalist and the important thing is that the vocal parts were not at all simplified to suit him. In terms of texture, his voice is quite rough and masculine and at the same time flexible enough to serve the definitely strict demands of Khymera. You might discover some Jeff Scott Soto proportion in his performance but in a couple of the songs with less throat straggling he intensely reminded me of Altaria's Taage Laiho.
To avoid repeating myself, I will end my review now and wait for Khymera to make all the new promises true. I bet their ambitions won't prove to be real khymeras. Would you bet against that?
- Album Highlights: A New Promise (for the atmosphere), Alone (for the keys), Looking For You (for the backing chorus vocals), The Damage Is Done (for the great choice) and You Can't Take Me (for a party!).