Released by: Inside Out
Release Date: 24th May 2019
Genre: Hard Rock
Links: http://sototheband.com/site/index.html
Line-up:
Jeff Scott Soto – Vocals
Jorge Salan – Guitar
Tony Dickinson – Bass
BJ – Keys/Guitar
Edu Cominato – Drums
Tracklist:
1. HyperMania (04:05)
2. Origami (05:08)
3. BeLie (04:06)
4. World Gone Colder (03:42)
5. Detonate (04:46)
6. Torn (04:39)
7. Dance With The Devil (04:26)
8. AfterGlow (04:48)
9. Vanity Lane (04:02)
10. Give In To Me (04:39)
Jeff Scott Soto is a name synonymous with quality music. He has spread his talent around to many vehicles, but I think at no other time in his career has he shown so much depth and gotten his name more exposure then he has in the last few years. He has at least had some high profile gigs with Trans Siberian Orchestra and Sons of Apollo. Soto has ventured somewhat from his AOR style he has become associated with to a heavier more modern sound with the band Soto. Vertigo and Divak both were well received by some, while not so much by the more melodic side of his fanbase. Lest we forget though, Soto’s roots are deep within the Metal community with his debut with Yngwie. Those first two releases do indeed have a more Modern Hard Rock sound which could likely cause some folks to steer away from them, but both are very solid albums. Now with InsideOut Music, the latest Soto album, Origami, takes bits of everything that makes JSS who he is onto one album.
Origami opens with the first single “HyperMania” which is a nice slice of melodic rock that tips the hat to that period of his career. The album slides seamlessly through a track that could’ve easily found its way onto the Sons of Apollo album (“Origami”) through darker stuff like “Dance With the Devil” then veers and taps into an almost Fates Warning-ish sounding “Torn.” I feel like the twists and turns help to make Origami the strongest and most interesting Soto album yet as it feels more fully formed as a group. It still may divide folks who aren’t into his more Metal stuff, but that’s OK because at some point Jeff will likely release another solo album to satisfy that part of the fanbase.
As a tremendous fan of Jeff Scott Soto across the board (best singer on the planet, I don’t care if he thinks that’s too much pressure) I’m a pretty easy fan to please. The Soto project hasn’t necessarily been my favourite “go-to” albums of his, but the more exposure I get to them, the higher up they creep on my list. Origami is easily the best of the three and stands the best chance of one of his own albums to get some nice exposure around the world and build his ever devoted fanbase. I can think of no better vocalist more worthy to gain more fans than JSS. And I realize I’ve said something to that effect numerous times, and will continue to do so until he rules the whole Hard Rock & Metal World dammit!
Ratings: 9/10
Written by: Chris Martin
My Global Mind – Senior Staff Writer
Chris Martin is a US based writer for My Global Mind, with an interest in hard rock and heavy metal in all its forms. A heavy contributor to the site, his work largely covers album and gig reviews.
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