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H R H - R E V I E W S
Walk the Sky
Comments: West coast rockers Walk the Sky can brag that they have made one of the coolest melodic rock CDs of the last couple of years. They play the kind of music that was huge in the '80s, with blazing guitar riffs and solos, thunderous drums and a heavy and intricate bass end, but the vocals will pretty much blow you away. Singer Rob Bonstin sings with skill and passion, he's got a hell of a range, and he may be the loudest voice ever recorded on disk. It's almost like he can barely contain himself on this release, and that energy vibes through every track. Walk the Sky is really a group of guys who played in different bands all through the '80s and decided this kind of music is too damn good to perish. Founded by guitarist Rick Hunter-Martinez, the other band members are the aforementioned Bonstin and Jeff Lemas on drums, with Tom Young on bass. Opening the CD is "Castles in the Sand," and you'll hear right off that Hunter-Martinez isn't afraid to get his shred on. When Bonstin starts singing, you'll be reminded of Michael Sweet from Stryper. He has that same loud, crystal clear while a bit throaty voice coupled with an extremely melodic delivery. When he sings the chorus, Bonstin literally explodes at you. Rock and roll! The next song can't be that good, can it? Sure as hell can. "Lay It On the Line" shows you that they aren't just about whipping together a "by the numbers" composition. Hunter-Martinez starts things off again with a sharp guitar intro, and then the track turns into a moody, slower track with huge vocal harmonies. "Snake Eyes" is a groovier song, sort of bluesy, Bonstin getting even throatier and dirtier in his delivery. This is a straight ahead rocker, falling well under the bar set by the first two tracks. They right the ship instantly, though, with "Always Remember." The drumming by Lemas impresses the most on this track, but the intricacies and moods the song conveys is stellar as well. You will think of an older Queensryche semi-ballad at times when listening to this track, about as big a compliment as you can give. "Heart of Stone" pretty much tears your head off. Hunter-Martinez is FAST, and you'll be thinking of George Lynch from the opening riff. This is the best track on the disk, and everything about "Heart of Stone" is what they do best. It has fast, precise guitars with a wicked solo; big harmonies; brilliant vocals; and basically rules the roost. The only solo on the disk better than this one is in the last track, "Love Comes Down." This
is the kind of band who could help exhume the melodic rock genre and
bring it back to the mainstream. Give them a try, and if you are a
major label, give them more than that. Track
listing:
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