Frontiers Records will release on August 27th in Europe and September 14th in the USA the new album from FIRST SIGNAL, a new melodic rock studio project presenting the alliance between two well known faces in the scene: Canadian singer Harry Hess (ex-HAREM SCAREM) and producer/bassist Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69, KHYMERA).
According to a press release, the concept behind this recording is to bring back the classic Harem Scarem sound which after the band decision to split is very much missed by many fans. Records such as ‘Mood Swings’ and ‘Weight Of The World’ are regarded as true masterpiece albums and they were the inspiration behind the First Signal songs which of course are also open to some new twists and interpretations. ”The record is very reminiscent of the songs I grew up listening to and fit my vocal style”, says Harry “It definitely reminds me of the songs we were writing very early on in Harem Scarem. I haven’t been involved with anything even close to this style musically since Harem Scarem, so it was a lot of fun for me and if the fans really like it I’m sure there’ll be a future First Signal!”
Harem Scarem have displayed throughout their 12 official studio albums a vast array of styles, from AOR, to arena hard rock and power pop in the RUBBER years. Still the fans have always asked the band to go back to a guitar riffs oriented sound which melted the influences from the melodic metal of the ’80’s with more contemporary sounds.
A great team of songwriters, including brothers Tom and James Martin (Khymera, SUNSTORM, HOUSE OF LORDS), Erik Martensson (W.E.T., ECLIPSE), Ronny Milianowicz (SAINT DEAMON), Robert Sall (W.E.T., WORK OF ART) and Mark Baker (SIGNAL, HOUSE OF LORDS) among others, had the task to recreate that magic sound, which is now back in all its glory thanks to a monster vocal performance from Harry and a crisp production and arrangement work from Dennis Ward.
Other musicians on the album include Chris Schmidt on drums, Michael Klein on guitars and Eric Ragno on keyboards and the necessary background vocals contribution from the other ex Harem Scarem member Darren Smith.
First Signal final tracklisting includes the following tracks:
‘When You Believe’
‘Part of Me’
‘Crazy’
‘Goodbye To The Old Times’
‘First Signal’
‘Feels Like Love’
‘Into the Night’
‘When November Falls’
‘Yesterday Rain’
‘Naked Desire’
Audio samples are available at this location.
The songs ‘This City’ and ‘Yesterday Rain’ can exclusively be listened in full in streaming on the Frontiers Web radio from June 21st. Tune in here.
Musicians:
Harry Hess: lead and background vocals
Darren Smith: background vocals
Dennis Ward: bass, background vocals, guitars
Eric Ragno: keyboards
Michael Klein: guitars
Chris Schmidt : drums
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