New Music Review: Journey "Eclipse" by Greg Testerman

I Just finished absorbing new material from one of my all time favorite bands. In some cases, when legendary classic rock bands release new music, I'm not sure what to expect.

If you're a Journey fan like myself, there's a good chance it's because of music the band produced in the 70's & 80's - that's all about to change. When you listen to the bands latest project "Eclipse", not only will you be satisfied, it'll make you feel great all day! It's their fourteenth album and a powerful combination of the different styles the band has incorporated over the last three decades with a modern crisp sound with the extra punch I was hoping for. All band members contribute huge amounts of talent to this precise documentation of where the band is today...In my opinion, "Eclipse" is the best offering from Journey since the 1981 multi platinum album "Escape".

To me, this album is all about Neal Schon going back to basics - The bands core sound. The bands leader and guitarist simply soars from beginning to end and reminds me of his precise style with his signature riffs that blend perfectly with the melodic metal the album offers. Neal is one of the very best guitarists on the planet and you'll once again be reminded of this when you listen to "Eclipse".

The bands lead singer Arnel Pineda makes you feel right at home and has a great range and blends perfectly with the bands epic sound. His voice will remind you of Steve Perry but with a few smokey lows; a strong voice that helps make the album come together. You can also hear the experience of Jonathan Cain who has been the bands pianist/keyboardist and back up vocalist since 1981, a talented pianist and a good singer in his own right. Ross Valory still plays a mean bass and Deen Castrovono brings big energy to the drum kit. I found the production, arrangement, and sound of the album to be excellent and would describe in a word as "Tight".

I love the first song "City of Hope" a powerful, melodic ballad that sets the stage for the rest of the album. You'll love Arnels vocals here as he rocks it and perfectly segues into "Edge of the Moment" - another powerful ballad with a modern crunch. Although the vocals were great on all songs, "My Ritual" and "She's a Mystery" is an amazing example of Arnels range. Other personal favorites include "Chain of Love", "Resonate", and I love the powerful screaming lead guitar in "Human Feel". The album concludes with a cool instrumental - "Venus". This is Journey 2011!

I am happy to report the band has a stop scheduled in Austin on September 22nd at the Frank Erwin Center in support of "Eclipse". I've included a link below for ticket information. But don't wait to start enjoying this new release, it's available just about anywhere you get your music. Journey is back!... GT

Journey is:
Neal Schon (guitars), Arnel Pineda (vocals), Ross Valory (bass), Jonathon Cain (Keyboards, Piano, vocals), and Deen Castrovono (drums)

Journey "Eclipse" track llsting
City of Hope 6:02
Edge of the Moment 5:27
Chain of Love 6:10
Tantra 6:27
Anything is Possible 5:21
Resonate 5:11
She's a Mystery 6:41
Human Feel 6:44
Ritual 4:57
To Whom it May Concern 5:15
Someone 4:35
Venus (Instrumental) 3:34

Official Band website
www.journeymusic.com

Frank Erwin Center - event page
www.uterwincenter.com/events/2011/september/journey

Greg Testerman
www.jgregoryphotography.com