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Review: Frontline – The State Of Rock

AOR Heaven (April 2018)

Reviewer: Grant Foster

Originally released in 1994 (jeez, that makes me feel old!), this re-release/remastering/getting it back out there, comes complete with two bonus tracks that were only available previously on the Japanese release of this album.

Frontline hailed from Germany and are definitely of the AOR/Melodic Rock persuasion. Unfortunately, even a remastering job can’t hide the fact that what’s on offer here sounds dated.  It can hardly be described as a ground breaker of an album and you kind of wonder why it was reissued at all? But maybe that’s just the cynic in me, as apparently, these guys were ‘big in Japan.’

There are highlights – ‘Heaven Knows’ has a tough guitar riff and melodic keyboard interplay, strong vocals and a chorus to remember.

An AOR album demands a strong power ballad and ‘Another Love’ is that tune. ‘Heaven Can’t Wait’ is your muscular rock anthem and is upbeat, positive and would of probably have made a good lead track back in the day.

Surprisingly, both bonus tracks also shine. ‘I’m Falling’ has a Nelson type vibe with acoustic guitars and some top backing vocals. ‘Alone’ although very melodic, doesn’t lack bite and has a nice melody line.

Bottom line is, if you love this kind of genre, I’m sure it will be a welcome addition to your collection. Personally,I’d love the band to reform and go and re-record this with more of an organic sound, as it could bring out a lot of the qualities that the original recording and production didn’t highlight.

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Frontline from Nürnberg, Germany belong to the pioneers of the German hard rock scene. Founded in 1989 by Robert Böbel (guitars, keyboards; Evidence One, Phantom V), Stephan Kämmerer (vocals), Thomas Riess (bass) and Stephan Bayerlein (drums), their debut album ‘The State Of Rock‘ finally hit the stores in 1994 – a true classic which until today still is regarded as the finest album of the band by many. This record also meant the breakthrough for the guys in Japan where they reached # 10 in the rock sales charts. Straightly after the release, Frontline went on tour in Europe and had the honour to open for various great acts such as Gotthard, Crash Test Dummies, Bonfire, Tyketto and Casanova.

In 1995, Frontline pulled out the full acoustic album ‘Two Faced‘. However, personal differences within the band followed and ended up in the departure of Stephan Bayerlein and Thomas Riess in 1996. They were replaced by Thomas ‘Hutch’ Bauer (Bass) and Rami Ali (Drums; Evidence One, Shylock). Still in the same year, Frontline signed a record deal with a new label, recorded the single ‘Man In Motion‘ and the album ‘Heroes‘ which though officially only saw the light of day in Japan since their European label went out of business.

One year later, the band decided to start working on another new album which is well known under it’s working title ‘Heroes II‘ amongst the fans but never saw a release. Due to a complicated contractual situation many labels feared to contact Frontline during the following years and the band went back to the underground again until Georg Siegl at AOR Heaven finally showed his interest in the band in the year 2000 and signed them for the first time. Just one month later, the album ‘Right Attitude‘ was released which can be regarded as a sort of compilation out of both ‘Heroes‘ albums …and ‘Right Attitude‘ became a huge success for the band again! The recordings for their 2002 output ‘Against The World‘ started the same year, and this album finally re-established Frontline on the international hard rock market.

Throughout the months after the release of the best of compilation ‘Almost Unreleased‘ (2003) which also featured a couple of rare tracks for the fans, Frontline again went into the studio and started to work on a new album called ‘The Seventh Sign‘ (2004). In the year 2006, the last studio album the German group called ‘Circles‘ was released.

On May 25th 2018, AOR Heaven will re-issue the former Japanese only release ‘Heroes‘ as a limited edition of 1000 copies. The album was  re-mastered by guitarist Robby Böbel.

Sound clips:

Heroes (Edit)

On The Run (Edit)

Our Love (Edit)

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Frontline from Nürnberg, Germany belong to the pioneers of the German hard rock scene. Founded in 1989 by Robert Böbel (guitars, keyboards; Evidence One, Phantom V), Stephan Kämmerer (vocals), Thomas Riess (bass) und Stephan Bayerlein (drums), their debut album ‘The State Of Rock‘ finally hit the stores in 1994 – a true classic which until today still is regarded as the finest album of the band by many. This record also meant the breakthrough for the guys in Japan where they reached # 10 in the rock sales charts. Straightly after the release, Frontline went on tour in Europe and had the honour to open for various great acts such as Gotthard, Crash Test Dummies, Bonfire, Tyketto and Casanova.

In 1995,  Frontline pulled out the full acoustic album „Two Faced“. However, personal differences within the band followed and ended up in the departure of Stephan Bayerlein and Thomas Riess in 1996. They were replaced by Thomas „Hutch“ Bauer (Bass) und Rami Ali (Drums; Evidence One, Shylock). Still in the same year, Frontline signed a record deal with a new label, recorded the single ‘Man In Motion‘ and the album ‘Heroes‘ which though officially only saw the light of day in Japan since their European label went out of business.

One year later, the band decided to start working on another new album which is well known under it’s working title ‘Heroes II‘ amongst the fans but never saw a release. Due to a complicated contractual situation many labels feared to contact Frontline during the following years and the band went back to the underground again until Georg Siegl at AOR Heaven finally showed his interest in the band in the year 2000 and signed them for the first time. Just one month later, the album “Right Attitude” was released which can be regarded as a sort of compilation out of both “Heroes” albums …and ‘Right Attitude‘ became a huge success for the band again! The recordings for their 2002 output “Against The World” started the same year, and this album finally re-established Frontline on the international hard rock market.

Throughout the months after the release of the best of compilation ‘Almost Unreleased‘ (2003) which also featured a couple of rare tracks for the fans, Frontline again went into the studio and started to work on a new album called ‘The Seventh Sign‘ (2004). In the year 2006, the last studio album the German group called ‘Circles‘ was released.

On April 27th 2018, AOR Heaven now will re-issue the rare and out of print album ‘The State Of Rock‘ with two bonus tracks as a Limited Edition of 1000 copies. The album was  re-mastered by guitarist Robby Böbel.

Soundclips in advance:

Frontline – Another Love (Edit)

Frontline – Heaven Knows (Edit)

Frontline – The Night Comes Over You (Edit)

 

 

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On the next Rockposer’s Roulette for your lugholes…

I have lined up for you a great new song from friend of the show Martin DeBourge & his new project Otis Coitus, a three play of Frontline, Crystal Roxx & Danger Avenue, the Danger Avenue coming courtesy of those nice folks at Wishing Well Entertainment. And rounding the show off is some excellent melodic rock from Shotgun Symphony, and a track from guitar virtuoso Jason Becker.

If your unfamiliar with Jason’s story, he was struck down with an illness which paralysed almost his entire body just as he was hitting his peak. There will shortly be a documentary released telling his story.

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Now playing: Joe Bonamassa – Just Got Paid
via FoxyTunes