Iconic is a contemporary melodic hard rock supergroup that brings together some of the Frontiers Records roster’s most accomplished musicians. The lineup represents a formidable combination of talent, featuring Stryper’s Michael Sweet alongside seasoned Whitesnake alumni Joel Hoekstra (whose pedigree also includes Night Ranger), Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy), and the legendary Tommy Aldridge. Fronting the band is Nathan James of Inglorious. While James may not yet be a traditional household name, this speaks less to his exceptional vocal abilities and more to the challenges facing modern classic rock vocalists in today’s musical landscape. He possesses a world-class gift that bridges the gap between generations of rock singers.
The album opens dynamically, with “Cry No More” seamlessly blending the polished, arena-ready sensibilities of late-80s Whitesnake with a distinctly robust American hard rock flair. Nathan James delivers a highly dramatic, emotionally charged performance that effectively evokes the passion of Sammy Hagar alongside the more melodic, accessible moments of Stryper.
“All I Want” wears its classic Whitesnake influences proudly on its sleeve. Given the stellar musical pedigree of the band members, it plays like a premier archival riff that has finally found its perfect home. It stands as a strong, captivating piece, offering an intriguing cultural blend where James’s British vocal roots merge effortlessly with a heavily American-influenced hard rock groove.
“Open My Eyes” is an engaging mid-tempo composition, highlighted by intricate guitar licks and a remarkably sweet, memorable melody running through the bridge and chorus. It showcases the band’s ability to balance technical skill with melodic hooks.
“Tears Keep on Falling” leans into melodic hard rock territory, masterfully integrating sophisticated tech-AOR elements. The guitars wail beautifully throughout the arrangement, injecting a welcome heaviness that elevates the track beyond standard radio-rock fair.
“Take Me to the Place” shifts proceedings toward a noticeably heavier direction while firmly maintaining the bands melodic core. James delivers a fascinatingly diverse vocal performance here, uniquely channeling the dramatic shouts of solo-era Bruce Dickinson alongside the bluesy grit of David Coverdale, in a bold combination that works surprisingly well. Certainly… better than expected.
“S.O.S” is one of the more iinventive tracks, opening with an unexpected, almost gospel-inspired vibe before evolving into a driving, classic rock ‘n’ roll anthem. The juxtaposition works beautifully, perhaps grounded by Michael Sweet’s seasoned musical touch.
“Nothing Left for Me” embraces a bluesier, darker tonal palette. This heavier track captures a moody intensity. It feels deeply atmospheric and would comfortably feel at home among David Coverdale’s finest early-career blues-rock offerings, if the good old Covernor was helming the mic.
“Far Away” is a lot more theatrical and epic in scope than anything else on the album, while beautifully preserving a late-80s to early-90s hard rock aesthetic. It successfully evokes the nostalgic charm of a classic, lost studio session from that era, complete with a brilliant, flashy guitar solo that displays just the right amount of technical skill.
“Valley of Lost Souls” is a highly ambitious track that pushes into heavier, metallic territory reminiscent of classic Dio. It attempts to balance these powerful metal roots with the smooth, melodic sensibilities of Whitesnake. While it is an admirable experiment in satisfying multiple stylistic preferences, the two halves occasionally compete with one another rather than fully locking into a unified groove.
“Written in the Stars” feels rooted firmly in classic rock traditions, with some lush, expansive harmony vocals and excellent twin-guitar trade-offs. It radiates a warm, feel-good energy that makes for a highly pleasant, accessible listen.
Closing out the record on a heavy note, comes “Heart of Stone”. This final track features a fantastic, driving main riff and revisits that signature, robust “heavy Whitesnake” groove, ensuring that the album concludes with maximum sonic impact.
“II” is a testament to the fact that these songs deserve to be heard rather than left in a writer’s drawer and the band’s collective performing abilities remain absolutely second to none. The musicians consistently elevate the material into a highly enjoyable listening experience, packed with phenomenal instrumental passages, soaring solos, and rich melodies. While the album offers a wealth of incredible musicianship, it occasionally lacks that singular, career-defining crossover hit to anchor the project into the collective memory of the people.
Ultimately, “II” is a very strong, professionally crafted release that fans of traditional melodic hard rock will thoroughly enjoy, even if it falls a bit shy of reinventing the genre’s proverbial wheel.
