A mixture of AOR, Hard Rock and guitar shredding Melodic Metal featuring the virtuoso guitarist and singer Gene Marchello. Recorded back in 1991“The Power Of Money” is the second album form Marchello finally re-issued after the reissue earlier in the year of the debut album “Destiny” which sold out the original pressing,which had to go to a second press to meet demand which also sold out. After about a year’s worth of work was put into the second record (known variously in collectors circles under names such as “Marchello II” “The Power Of Money” or “The Magic Comes Alive” and considerable money poured into it by CBS, Peppi, Gene and the band were stunned to learn that the label now had no plans to release it, the tides of musical tastes having moved away from fast guitar solos, frilly shirts and puffy hair, thus ultimately shelving the final master to remain unreleased, save for some CDR bootleg copies that found their way into the hands of eager collectors, this writer included, which surfaced in handfuls sometime in the early 2000’s. Finally in 2024 we get a full release 33 years later.

After reviewing the reissue of the debut album “Destiny” in July, I was very pleased to be able to get my hands on the reissue of the follow up album “The Power Of Money”. A re-issue in 2012 on the AOR Heaven Classics entitled “The Magic Comes Alive” featured most of the tracks ,but on this new version you get even more tracks. There are some greats tracks on this album ”Magic Comes Alive” is a great opening track which just flows with it's catchy melody, chugging riffs with great energy. ”Boys Night Out” has infectious riffs, funky bass, definitely has shades of Van Halen about it for sure. There is a perfect mixture of AOR/Melodic Rock and Heavy Metal here “Every Mans Lover” is an anthemic melodic track, great vocals. ”Wall Of Paper” is definitely the power ballad of the album with some superb guitar work by Marchello, this has smash hit written all over it, delivered  perfectly. ”Rock Me” is that party rock .”Good Good Girls” is that fun time track written about good times of the 80's.”The Power Of Money” and “Sleazy Street” show the bands heavier side which they pull off superbly with the heavier riffs and rhythm with Marchello delivering some killer solos which he shows off in the instrumental piece “The Running Man” I'm listening in awe of how good he is and question why he isn't mentioned along with the guitar greats. We even have a great cover of the James Brown classic “I feel Good” .The bonus tracks are unreleased demos recorded in 1985 to 1986, some featured on the debut album “Destiny” produced by no other than Bob Kulick.

Another hidden gem from Marchello which has finally seen the light of day. I said in the previous review of “Destiny” this band should have been huge back in the day. Its a crying shame that CBS didn't discover Marchello sooner or invest more into them before the invasion of Grunge. This album is definitely a must for the army of AOR/Melodic Rock fans out there who will absolutely love this release as much as I did.