Metal Heaven 2010

Sometimes it’s easy to introduce a new band and their album. With the simple formula “75 % FRONTLINE + 25 % SHY = 100 % STATE OF ROCK” almost everything is said about this CD. Since some of you may still be interested in hearing more details, I explain that formula. The 75 % FRONTLINE come from Robby Böbel (guitars), Hutch Bauer (bass) and Rami Ali (drums), while the 25 % SHY are represented by British singer Tony Mills. “A Point Of Destiny” proves STATE OF ROCK right to name after the first FRONTLINE album of the year 1994, since their music is not very different from what FRONTLINE have done on their last albums. Overall STATE OF ROCK sound a little heavier and more dynamic, but the main ingredients are the very same: likable melodies, virtuoso guitars plus some powerful and excellently arranged songs. The biggest difference in the sound of the two bands is lead singer Tony Mills. His high-pitched vocals are not everyone’s cup of tea, but in the case of “A Point Of Destiny” it is easy to live with them, because the STATE OF ROCK songs are strong enough to absorb them. The best songs of the album are the heavily grooving “Count Me Out” which would also fit on the first EVIDENCE ONE album, the heavy and scrolled opener “Black & Blue” and the classic mid-tempo-anthem “Without My Love” of which chorus features some obvious JOURNEY influences as does the beautiful half-ballad “Don’t Make Me Cry”. The positive overall impression gets rounded off by a powerful and compact production which leaves enough space to all instruments to unfold. I highly recommend STATE OF ROCK’s “A Point Of Destiny” to the fans of FRONTLINE, SHY and early EVIDENCE ONE. Go and get it!

MARCO SPÄTH