There's been a flood of activity on the Erik Norlander/Lana Lane front these days, which is a good thing for those who follow the career of these two talented performers. Stars Rain Down is a collection of live versions of Erik Norlander/Rocket Scientist songs recorded on various tours of Europe from 2001-2003. Norlander has done a good job of putting together songs that give a good snapshot of his entire career, as he has included some of the best tunes from his solo albums Threshold, Into the Sunset, and Music Machine, as well as Rocket Scientists' Oblivion Days, and Brutal Architecture.
Joining him of course are some if his usual compadres, like wife Lana Lane, who lends her powerful vocals to songs like "Fly", "Lost Highway", and the crunchy rocker "Oblivion Days", which is interesting to hear as the song was previously sung by Rocket Scientists' Mark McCrite. Kelly Keeling (Blue Murder/Lynch Mob/Yngwie Malmsteen) is on board as well, as his gritty, Glenn Hughes-ish pipes add mucho gusto to heavy tracks like "Rome is Burning", "Beware the Vampires", "Heavy Metal Symphony", and he shines with grace on the tender Rocket Scientist number "Mariner."
Of course, there are plenty of "over-the-top" instrumental tracks that allow Norlander to display his immense keyboard prowess, such as the raging "Neurosaur", the nimble "Arrival", or the more symphonic & spacey "Sky Full of Stars" and "Space: 1999." Those who might think that Norlander & Co. might have trouble recreating these complex and wild tunes live need to give a listen! You wants Moogs, Hammond, Mellotron, and piano...you got them, and lots of them!
Guitarist Peer Verschuren is a joy to listen to here in a live setting. The guy has all the crunch you would expect from a prog-metal guitarist (killer tone!) and his solos have an almost David Gilmour fluidity to them. Long time Stick player Don Schiff is in tow as well, as are drummers Ernst Van Ee and Ed Warby.
Some prog & prog-metal live albums can sound a little stale, as the bands struggle to recreate the complex and grandiose sounds from the studio. Not Mr. Norlander and his talented group. Give this a listen, as it is not only a fine live statement but also serves as a sort of greatest hits package as well.
Track listing
1. Rome is Burning [6:15]
2. Beware the Vampires [4:53]
3. One of the Machines [5:33]
4. Mariner [7:54]
5. Sky Full of Stars [10:14]
6. Lost Highway [5:13]
7. Arrival [1:52]
8. Neurosaur [5:27]
9. Heavy Metal Symphony [5:09]
10. Project Blue Prince [5:24]
11. Fly [7:35]
12. Oblivion Days [4:34]
13. Space: 1999 [4:55]
Total running time . . . 75:02
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