The 2010s saw a large resurgence in AOR and melodic hard rock. Veteran acts returned to reclaim their throne while new bands formed to keep the faith. Spearheading this movement was the great Frontiers Records. Based in Italy, Frontiers put out some of my favorite releases of the 2010s such as Eclipse’s Bleed & Scream (2012) and Uriah Heep’s Living the Dream (2018). After a press release indicated they’d release more music than ever in 2020, I was over the moon. It brings us here to our first brand new band of the year and decade, Passion.
For the majority of their self titled debut, Passion delivers no frills, four on the floor hard rock with a melodic edge. I’ve always felt true hard rock is impossible to fake. Much like the blues, you’re either born with it or you’re not. Passion proves their worth with one barn burner after the next. Tracks such as “Built to Please” and “She Bites Hard” drip in sleaze and swagger. If you aren’t shaking your hips to these songs, do you even have a pulse?
While this soulful take on AC/DC worship dominates the majority of the album, Passion is more than a one trick pony. My favorite song is the opener, “Intensity”. This is hands down the best song Dokken never wrote. If the other songs on here weren’t as catchy as they are, I’d almost be disappointed this is the only metal song on the album. If you’re reading this boys, feel free to release an entire album in this vein. The world needs another Tooth and Nail!
Speaking of Dokken, guitarist Chance Vanderlain’s soloing on certain tracks has me convinced he’s a graduate of the University of George Lynch. “Lost in the Dark” features a solo that steals the show. It’s melodic with a dark and moody undertone, just like some of Lynch’s finest 80s moments (and there were many). While we’re praising the members’ individual abilities, let’s also take a second to recognize Passion’s singer, Lion Ravarez. It makes sense he’s named Lion: He has the voice of one. I hear touches of Brian Johnson, Don Dokken, Jack Russell, and many other 80s titans in his voice.
Usually, a band’s debut album comes with a free pass. If it ends up being subpar, you’ve got the rest of your career to develop and improve upon your sound. One must look no further than bands such as Scorpions and Krokus to know this. Passion has avoided this pitfall with a strong and solid collection of songs for hard rocking and harder partying. The decade is theirs for the taking!
7 out of 10
Label: Frontiers Records
Genre: Hard Rock
For fans of: AC/DC, Dokken, Danger Danger