Dennis Ward is no stranger to this webzine. Between the last two Magnum albums and the last outing from his studio project, Khymera, we’ve reviewed his work on at least 3 occasions over the past few years. I’m sure if we factor in various songwriting, session, and production work, that number is even higher, but for simplicity’s sake, we’re leaving it at 3…until now. As of today, that number is officially 4 because Khymera is back with a brand new album, Hold Your Ground. I know, I’m as shocked as you are, especially considering we usually have to wait 5+ years for a Khymera release.
When I reviewed Master of Illusions a few years back, I was left underwhelmed. In the years since, the album has grown on me, and I’d go as far to say I’ve found a new appreciation for it (“Just Let It Happen” has become a staple of my AOR playlist.) However, it still doesn’t resonate with me the way past Steve Walsh fronted releases do. The strangest part of all is that upon first listening to Hold Your Ground, I enjoy it significantly more than Master of Illusions, even though it basically follows the same 80s AOR template. The songs and overall flow of the album comes off as much stronger than its predecessor to my ear.
The majority of this album can be categorized as pure, unadulterated AOR that balances hard rock riffage with slick melodies and layered vocals. Cuts like “Don’t Wait for Love”, “Could Have Been Us”, and “Am I Dreaming” utilize this approach to maximum effect, justifying the Foreigner and Survivor comparisons thrown this project’s way. Some moments lie on the radio friendly side of things, with “Believe in What You Want” giving off serious 80s training montage vibes and “Runaway” boasting the quirkiness of cult melodic rockers Dakota (Who also had a song entitled “Runaway.), while the power ballad “Our Love is Killing Me” boasts a striking resemblance to I-Ten’s “Alone”.
On the contrast are a handful of songs that lie somewhere between heavy AOR and melodic metal, not far removed from Yngwie Malmsteen circa Odyssey and Sunstorm, both of which featured Joe Lynn Turner on vocals and the latter of whom Ward played with. The dark atmosphere and brooding guitar work of “Firestarter” remind me of AOR stalwarts Ten, while the trifecta of heavy riffs, 80s synths, and dreamy vocals are nothing short of intoxicating on cuts like “Hear Me Calling” and “Hear What I’m Saying”. “Sail on Forever” is yet another heavy anthem, while the fast and frantic “On the Edge” evokes the coke-driven energy of classic Night Ranger. If you’re not sold by that description, I don’t want to be your friend.
Perhaps I’m just in an AOR mood today, but Hold Your Ground holds its own as the strongest Khymera album in quite some time. The hooks are memorable, the musicianship is impeccable, and even the production is true to the 80s ethos without sounding like a blatant knockoff. Who knows? Maybe Ward just used some of his melodic rock sorcery to conjure up an 80s mega-seller from a parallel universe and pass it off as his own? Probably not, but that sure sounds like the premise of a killer movie!
8 out of 10
Label: Frontiers Records
Genre: AOR
For fans of: Survivor, Night Ranger, Sunstorm