For most of the time people look at the USA when it comes to good Melodic Rock and/or AOR, but then they are forgetting that the UK also has produced some real gems, like FM and THUNDER to name just a few. Now there is new blood to add to that list embodied by the band LIFE OF A HERO. Most eye catching name on the list of band members has to be Russ Grimmett, who is the son of legendary NWOBHM rocker Steve Grimmett (GRIM REAPER, LIONSHEART). He is joined by just about the whole line-up of MIDNITE CITY, a band that I must admit I am not familiar with.

Their debut album "Letting Go" reminds me a bit of HEAVY PETTIN', another great melodic band from the UK. The reason is that the production of the album is spot on, courtesy of drummer Pete Newdeck, and the sound of LIFE OF A HERO is just as transparent and approachable as HEAVY PETTIN' were. The big difference between them is that the tempo of most of the songs is a bit higher, in LIFE OF A HERO's favour. They have a never-ending drive to prove themselves to be proper songwriters and musicians and on "Letting Go" they are succeeding with varying results. The biggest hesitation I have in reviewing this as excellent is that the songs don't have a long shelf life, they're not memorable enough. Yes, they're very pleasant to listen to whilst the album is making its rounds, but they are too easily forgotten after you stop play. That is an area the band need to work on.

Then again, the guitars have a good sound, the riffs being thrown around are solid, melodic and heavy mixed together. The base of the sound are of course the bass and drums, and they lay a very sturdy and dependable foundation that makes it easy for the rest to excel. The one profiting the most is the fore-mentioned singer Russ Grimmett, who has a very good voice and who can sing anything from very fragile to extremely powerful lyrics, but always in a very clear and pleasing voice. Whatever the music needs, he can deliver. I can see another superstar coming up, but that will only happen if LIFE OF A HERO and "Letting Go" will get the exposure and recognition they crave. Only time (and perspective fans) will tell.