Revolution Saints, the incredible music band led by multi-talented vocalist and drummer Deen Castronovo (Journey, Neal Schon, etc.), has returned to the scene with a new lineup and their highly awaited new album, “Eagle Flight”. For Revolution Saints MK II, Castronovo has been joined by the gifted guitarist Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, Night Ranger, Joel Hoekstra’s 13) and skilled bassist Jeff Pilson (Dokken, Foreigner).
The new album has a more hard rock edge at times, but it retains the melodic rock & AOR essence. I believe it’s primarily due to Joel’s playing, who is more into hard rock and delivers some incredible solos on every track. Despite the fact that the majority of the songs were written by Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge of Forever, Hardline, etc.), who also plays the keys and did the production, each member has clearly given their own personal touches to the songs. Regarding the production, I would describe it as clean, full, and dynamic. After all, as a skillful musicians and producer, Alessandro always delivers.
The self-titled opening track, “Eagle Flight”, is a melodic rock anthem, with amazing vocals, catchy melodies and a superb guitar solo. As the journey continues, Revolution Saints present us with a collection of well-crafted songs that balance powerful hooks with thoughtful lyrics and rockin’ guitars. “Talking Like Strangers”, “Need Each Other”, “I’ll Cry for You Tonight”, “Crime of the Century”, “Set Yourself Free”, “Sacred”, “Once More” and “Save It All” are the best tracks here, according to me. The album’s seamless blend of intricate solos and melodic harmonies elevates the listening experience to new heights.
Deen Castronovo has proven once again that he is not just an exceptional drummer, but also an amazing vocalist. If it weren’t for his drums’ passion, he could easily become the frontman in any band. It’s strange, though, that when people hear Deen’s name, they immediately think of him as a prominent drummer, rather than a singer. Guitarist Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, Night Ranger, Joel Hoekstra’s 13) and bassist Jeff Pilson (Dokken, Foreigner) round out the Revolution Saints lineup perfectly, proving that bringing them on board was a wise decision. Let’s hope they stay together for a long time and create more albums like this one, if not better.
While the album treads familiar ground, it does so with obvious elegance and an unwavering dedication to the melodic rock sound. This is not a revolution; it is an evolution of the band’s signature style, executed flawlessly. With its captivating songs, excellent musicianship, and impassioned vocals, the album will definitely please both the band’s longtime and new fans.
In spite of everything, Revolution Saints have clearly put their heart and soul into this album, making it one of the year’s best melodic rock releases.
