What Phil Vincent does he does it well. More than well, indeed. Again said, he's been a 'private release' hard working man (also in TRAGIC) that composes, records, produces, mixes and releases all of his albums by himself. A discography already counting 10 solo CDs, now adding one more to the name of Passion & Pain.
As Phil successfully states in his personal website, influences include JOURNEY, HAREM SCAREM, THE BEATLES, SURVIVOR, BOSTON, PINK FLOYD, TALISMAN and DOKKEN and rare is the case you'll witness something else while listening to this brand new album. Passion & Pain features a string of ingredients properly fond of melodic/hard/heavy Rock fans. The production - again - is more than good for a private release, freash yet conscious. Plus the mix does justice to the album's scope/atmosphere (minus the drums' somehow pale attributes, plus the keys' smart enhancement).
Phil's voice depicts a mature hardrocker with a tendency in passionate/moody singing. The guitars' work follows the same guidelines, hence the imminent e.g. DOKKEN or HAREM SCAREM relevance. Don't expect, on second thought, only minor 'scales' in the songlist. There are some real cranky rockers in Passion & Pain, in most of them having Phil experimenting also with more modern 'crunchy' sounds/samples in order to evoke some fresh air I assume. Nonetheless, when it comes to harmonies and melodic leads and sharp riffs it's a notable-plus feeling Phil Vincent exposes in no vain.
A more rich booklet would not be out of the question, but - in defense - that's another hint wanting Passion & Pain to be treated as it was out via a normal record label. Its tracklist quality, its sound and its ambiance results in such thinking, anyway. If the post-80s blend of DOKKEN and WINGER plus the conscious arrangements of TALISMAN and the up-to-date behavior of HAREM SCAREM is your cup of tea, then feel free to spent time with Phil Vincent and Passion & Pain. Honestly recommended.