Only two years after “Running Games” Joel Hoekstra’s 13 released a new studio album entitled “Crash of Life”. The main difference this time is the vocalist’s position. Girish Padhan (Girish and the Chronicles) took Russell Allen’s place. Girish was introduced to a wider audience when his band Girish and the Chronicles’ latest album, “Hail to the Heroes”, was released in 2022 via Frontiers Music. I guess many fans of JH13’s past albums are curious about how the new album will be like and if it will be on par with the previous ones. Well, as Joel told me, the new album has a more hard rockin’ edge than the previous releases. And that’s the case here… “Crash of Life” blends elements of classic rock, melodic rock, and hard rock along with a few prog touches. Girish’s gritty voice fits this kind of music, and he also doesn’t scream as much as he does in his main band.
An ensemble of virtuosos, Joel Hoekstra’s 13 crafts an auditory journey that showcases instrumental prowess at its zenith. Joel Hoekstra’s (Whitesnake, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Revolution Saints) guitar work is nothing short of astonishing, as he weaves intricate tapestries of melody and power. His solos are as brilliant as ever and extremely creative. Tony Franklin’s (Blue Murder, Rob Moratti, Lana Lane, Graham Bonnet) bass lines rumble with seismic force, while Vinny Appice’s (Dio, Last In Line) drumming adds an irresistible heartbeat to each composition. Derek Sherinian’s (ex-Dream Theater, Whitesnake, Black Country Communion) keyboard wizardry adds layers of complexity and emotion that serve as the album’s beating heart. Last but not least, Jeff Scott Solo (Solo, Sons Of Apollo, Talisman) on backing vocals is as remarkable as always with his distinctive voice. The chemistry between the band members is palpable… it feels like they have been playing together for decades.
The production is tight, powerful, and full. The famed Chris Collier (Lynch Mob, Tommy Bolin, KXM, Prong, etc.) has taken care of the mixing and mastering of the album. Joel dealt with the album’s songwriting, showing that he is not only an exceptional guitarist but also a remarkable composer. It’s obvious he’s comfortable with his songwriting tasks, which is why the album is full of wonderful melodies and catchy hooks.
“Crash of Life” contains a plethora of standout tracks that demand attention. “Everybody Knows Everything”, “Crash of Life”, “Damaged Goods”, “Torn Into Lies”, “Far Too Deep”, “Not Tonight”, “Over You”, “I Would Cry For You”, “Don’t Have Words”, and “Through the Night” are some tracks that every rock fan is gonna enjoy.
“Crash of Life” earns extra points due to its remarkable ability to fuse technical brilliance with emotional depth. In a world where music frequently crosses the line between imitation and creativity, this album stands tall as a tribute to the strength of passion-fueled creation. If you really fancy melodic hard rock with classic rock elements, then don’t miss “Crash of Life”.
