Hardline 'Life Live' Frontiers Music srl

This is essential pre-festival homework for everyone going to Winter Storm in 2020, especially if they have not seen the outstanding Hardline before. It’s still 9 months away but I’m already getting phantom labour pains just thinking about it.

This set was recorded and filmed at the Frontiers Music Festival in 2019. Obviously it’s the modern ‘Italian’ version of Hardline but all the better for it. They do play 7 songs from 1992’s legendary debut album but Neal Schon and Deen Castronovo are long gone, although Deeno does pop up on guest drums for ‘Life’s a Bitch’.

Of course, Johnny Gioeli is still the main man on vocals and chat and he remains one of the best front men out there. The ubiquitous Alessandro Del Vecchio is immaculate on keys and vocals and newish guitarist Mario Percudani is a real find - he shines throughout with some mature and fluid playing. Now, I’ve always had a thing for lady bass players - there’s just something sexy about them (it’s probably Suzi Quatro’s fault during my formative years!). This release benefits from some outstanding playing by the exquisite Anna Portalupi who forms a great rhythm section with Marco Di Salvia on drums.

The set contains some absolute belters from 1992 like ‘Dr Love’ and ‘Takin’ Me Down’ but it’s songs from the 21st century that make this album stand out, like opener ‘Place To Call Home’ and ‘Where Will We Go From Here’. Without doubt, ‘Hot Cherie’ is one of the best hard rock songs of all time. If I have one gripe, it’s that this version is a bit of a singalong and so lacks the visceral intensity of the version on ‘Live at The Gods 2002’ which is still a big favourite album of mine.

Give this a play and you’ll know exactly why getting them on stage is a big coup for the promoters of Winter Storm. I can’t wait.