It’s been a running joke since I’ve started this site that I can’t go a month without reviewing at least one album that involves the musical, songwriting, or production talents (or in certain cases, all three) of Alessandro del Vecchio. With each passing month, this ends up being less of a joke and more of a fact. Look no further than today’s band in review, Enemy Eyes. In true Frontiers fashion, Enemy Eyes is a new band of familiar faces. Not only this, but it is the brainchild of Hardline frontman Johnny Gioeli. Joining Giolei and del Vecchio in this new outfit are guitarist Marcos Rodríguez (Rage) and drummer Fabio Alessandrini (Bonfire).
The purpose of Enemy Eyes is to give Gioeli, a veteran of the melodic hard rock scene, an outlet to explore the heavier side of the musical spectrum. Sure, Hardline has their metal moments, but at the end of the day, they are an AOR band through and through. It should also be noted that Gioeli has fronted Axel Rudi Pell’s band for nearly 25 years, but a neoclassical power metal album this is not. No, History’s Hand, the debut album from Enemy Eyes, is a rather straightforward melodic metal album, with tropes characteristic of many on the Frontiers roster.
The album is largely defined by the big, bombastic riffing and production style of bands like Eclipse and Pretty Maids, specifically the 21st century approach of the latter. This is made apparent on cuts like the menacing “Here We Are” and the thick, groove-laden “History’s Hand”, with their gargantuan hooks and all. In fact, this entire album is defined by rather dark guitarwork that lies somewhere between groove metal and, dare I say doom metal? If so, it’s executed in a melodic manner, or doom metal gone Frontiers style, so not to sacrifice the traditional undertones (i.e. “Preying on Your Weakness”, “The Chase”, “The Dream is Gone”).
Being a sucker for 80s derived traditionalism, my favorite moments on here are the ones that channel exactly this. “Peace and Glory” is a powerful high speed rager with flourishes reminiscent of Helloween and other euro power metal overloads. The guitars are absolutely ripping and Gioeli’s vocals soar to the heavens. “Broken” continues this rampage, albeit sounding closer to Judas Priest circa Painkiller than the Wacken crop. Closing it all out is an excellent old school slab of melodic metal glory, “The Rat Race”. The riffing and chorus in particular scream 80s arena metal. Part of me selfishly wishes the entire album was in this vain, but I must say that for what History’s Hand is, I do enjoy it.
It’ll be interesting to see what transpires for Enemy Eyes in the months and years to come. It certainly feels like more of a proper band as opposed to a studio project, one that could run adjacent to Hardline as a sort of melodic metal alter ego. Regardless of what comes in the future, there’s no denying that History’s Hand is a strong way to close out the year for Gioeli, del Vecchio, and the good folks at Frontiers Records.
7 out of 10
Label: Frontiers Records
Genre: Melodic Heavy Metal
For fans of: Pretty Maids, Eclipse, Art Nation