Review: Sandness – Vertigo

Rockshots Records (May 16^th, 2025)

Reviewer – Jason Hopper

Formed in 2008, Sandness is an Italian hard rock power trio with four studio albums and an EP under their belt. They are looking to expand their audience and make a name for themselves with their latest effort ‘Vertigo‘. Full disclosure, I am unfamiliar with their past catalog, so I’m going in with fresh ears…and I liked what I heard.

The album opens with ‘Per Aspera Ad Astra’ which translates to “Through hardship to the stars”.  It’s a solid opener about overcoming obstacles and does a great job of firing up the listener for what is to come.

However, I was taken aback by the band’s diversity with Track 2’s ‘The Match’. A completely different animal from the opener, the band goes for a more melodic Jimmy Eat World vibe with a touch of Weezer. Quite catchy with extended “Ohh ohh” vocables added at the end of the chorus that almost serves as an instrument. Interesting tact and it works very well.

A little over a month ago, they released ‘Not Your Dog’ as the album’s first single and it’s a fabulous hard blues track, not too dissimilar to something Cinderella or LA Guns would record.  The gang vocals in the chorus are what sold me on wanting to review the album, that’s why it’s peculiar to me that the first single is featured in the eighth slot on the album. Track three would have made more sense if they were looking to release it as a single.

The closing tracks to me are as superb as the openers. ‘Neverending Road’ has a feel similar to more melodic rock bands like Remedy and The New Roses. A fast-paced rocker designed to slam your foot on the gas while driving. ‘Train of Time’ is a hard blues-based rocker that’s an introspective look on slowing things down a bit to live life to the fullest. A honky tonk piano subtly plays in the background but fills the music with urgency. Combined with the gang vocals in the chorus, it makes for my favorite track and a magnificent way to close out the album.

The album as a bit of a “middle” issue. The collection’s weakest tracks are found there. With the exception of ‘Back For More’, which is catchy, fun, and energetic, the best songs are found at the beginning and the end of the album. I noticed that my attention waned after several playthroughs while at work. I had the album on repeat over the course of several days, noting each time that the middle tracks failed to grab me like the tracks on the extremities. These tracks are not unlistenable, just uninteresting and lacking a strong melody.

Bassist Mark Denkley and guitarist Robby Luckets share lead vocal duties and the credits do not indicate who sings what tracks. Frankly, I never noticed a difference between the singers.  They both have similar ranges and harmonize well. Frankly, I would not have known there were two lead singers if it wasn’t pointed out in their bio. Neither are powerhouse belters, but the music does not require that, and they have a great feel for melody, never overextending themselves outside of their range.

The album is produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered by renowned producer Alessandro Del Vecchio, making this one of his first producing credits outside of his years at Frontiers Records.  Moreso than his time at Frontiers, he does not over polish the band’s rockier edges, making the “attitude” they display more authentic. This is not a studio band. What you hear on this recording is what you would hear if you saw them live.

Since I cannot compare this to their other releases, I will say it’s the type of album that makes me want to go back and see what I have been missing. For those into melodic rock with a modern edge feel and a curveball or two, this album will be right up your alley. There’s something for everyone here.  If you know the band, I’m sure this will please their fans. For those new to the band, stream it upon release and see what you’ve been missing.

Track list:

1. Per Aspera Ad Astra
2. The Match
3. Draw The Line
4. From Zero to Hero
5. Back For More
6. Midnight Dance
7. Rock N’ Roll High
8. Not Your Dog
9. Neverending Road
10. Train of Time

Line Up:

Mark: Bass, lead and backing vocals
Metyou: Drums and backing vocals
Robby: Lead and rhythm guitar, lead and backing vocals

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