Place Vendome: Thunder In The Distance

While long term Michael Kiske (once the vocalist in Helloween) fans, have like myself been frothing over his recent re-collaboration with his fellow ex-Helloweener Kai Hansen in Unisonic, it was actually the "band" Place Vendome which first tempted him back towards the world of Rock and Metal more permanently. The singer publicly stating he'd lost the desire for such endeavours. Amazingly his sabbatical lasted nearly a decade, but since the 2005 self titled release from Place Vendome, he has become a far more and very welcome visitor to the heavier side of the spectrum once more.

That all said Place Vendome, which is one of those studio projects Frontiers Records boss Serafino Perugino dreamed up, aren't exactly a thrusting Power/Speed Metal outfit. The aforementioned debut and 2009 follow up Streets Of Fire sitting neatly in the Frontiers box of Melodic Rock come AOR. Both being very good exponents of it too. Interestingly Kiske has mentioned in interviews regarding PV3, titled Thunder In The Distance that it is pure AOR this time round and much though the singer of the project will know much better than me, I have to be honest and say I disagree. This album being far punchier than that description would suggest. However it is still mighty fine stuff and to be fair to Kiske, who is again in imperious form here, what he and uber producer/bassist Dennis Ward have cooked up does contain some serious AOR moments.

Back in the fold alongside Kiske and Ward are guitarist Uwe Reitenauer and keyboard player Gunther Werjo, with the drum stool manned ably by Dirk Bruinenberg. This time the songwriting team consists of the likes of Tommy Denander, Magnus Karlsson, Timo Tolkki, and among others, Alessandro Del Vecchio. Which when you read it means that nearly all of the main players of the current MHR/AOR scene are, impressively, present and correct in some shape or form.

It shows, with the songs being a slick mix of keyboard led pomp, guitar slicing rockers and the odd soaring ballad. In short a Melodic Rocker's dream. Try out "It Can Rain Forever" for a serving of the prime AOR Kiske was talking about, with "Power Of Music" and "Heaven Lost" not far behind, while "Hold Your Love" and "Maybe Tomorrow" verge into that territory marked ballads of power! The album's title track and especially "Talk To Me" and "Broken Wings" turn up the volume and the intensity to excellent effect, allowing Kiske to soar as only he can.

As you'll gather from the track titles, some will scoff that what Place Vendome do is all cliché ridden and safe but I'd suggest that for others that is actually the point here. Ultimately if it is done really well, does it matter? Not to me and not to Place Vendome, who with Thunder In The Distance have released another little belter.

Track Listing
01. Talk To Me
02. Power Of Music
03. Broken Wings
04. Lost In Paradise
05. It Can't Rain Forever
06. Fragile Ground
07. Hold Your Love
08. Never Too Late
09. Heaven Lost
10. My Heart Is Dying
11. Breakout
12. Maybe Tomorrow
13. Thunder In The Distance

Added: December 16th 2013
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Michael Kiske Online
Hits: 7144
Language: english

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