Vandenberg - 2020
It was in 1985 that Adrian Vandenberg, the Dutch guitarist prodigy, put an end to his band Vandenberg. He went to join David Coverdale and his Whitesnake, participating in 1987, Slip of The Tongue, Restless Heart and Starkers in Tokyo. In 2014, Adrian formed Vandenberg's Moonkings with which, to date, he has released three albums.
And against all odds, in 2020 he reformed Vandenberg with Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, CoreLeoni) on vocals, Koen Herfst on drums, Randy Van Der Elsen on bass, and of course our Adrian Vandenberg on guitars. And we quickly realize that 2020 is distilling modern hard rock, without nostalgia but very marked all the same by Rainbow, Ronnie James Dio era and Whistesnake. Ronnie Romero's powerful voice is a clever mix of David Coverdale and Ronnie James Dio.
Shadows In The Night's riff is effective, direct, and unadorned. But that does not prevent a very melodic chorus. Freight Train is just as powerful, a little heavier, and a thicker rhythm. We returned to the blessed time of hard rock of the 80s, with a production marked 21st century by the experienced Bob Marlette.
Hell And High Water, could have been in the setlist of Rainbow Rising (1976), the masterpiece of Rainbow. Adrian offers a splendid solo on an Arabian melody worthy of Stargazer (Rainbow). Linger on this piece. He is magnificent. Note that Adrian Vandenberg invited some pretty names on this album: Rudy Sarzo, bass (Ozzy, Whitesnake), Brian Tichy, drums (Whitesnake) and producer Bob Marlette on keyboards.
Let It Rain is less marked Whitesnake/Rainbow. It is a classic hard rock, on which the guitar solo is once again technical and melodic. Ride Like The Wind crushes us with its rhythmic of bulldozer. Ronnie Romero is excellent, like throughout the album. To listen with headphones or in the car, without exceeding speed limits, of course. Shout continues its momentum. A breathtaking ruffling riff, and a rhythmic as thick as a rhinoceros skin.
Shitstorm is also very imprinted with Whitesnake. We don't erase like that thirteen years spent in the band of David Coverdale, with whom Adrian still maintains excellent relations. And a solo out of the bowels of the Earth. Light Up The Sky recalls the recent Whitesnake. But beware Ronnie Romero is not yet another Coverdale clone, he is a singer with his own personality who excels in all vocal registers.
And here's the ballad ... Burning Heart, since it's it, has been following Vandenberg's career since its inception. Still as beautiful even if it is not the best version recorded, for my taste. But Romero's broken voice and Adrian's guitar go well together.
Skyfall, the last title, highlights the vocal qualities of Ronnie Romero. After a calm start, a huge riff (it reminds me of the riff of XYZ's Nice Day To Die) takes us to the guts. An excellent title which proves, if necessary, all the musical knowledge of the musicians. 2020 is a good hard rock album, as we like it, and which will allow Adrian Vandenberg to hit the road again. I hope he will tour in France, a country he adores for its wine, its arts and its food. Long live rock'n'roll!
Tracklist:
1. Shadows of the Night
2. Freight Train
3. Hell and High Water
4. Let It Rain
5. Ride Like The Wind
6. Shout
7. Shitstorm
8. Light Up The Sky
9. Burning Heart – 2020
10. Skyfall
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Crafton on The Bookends
Wonderful article and so well written, we thank you dearly!
halka on Tearing Down The Walls (2014)
Awesome review of an awesome album. Thanks! :-)
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