PLACE VENDOME – Thunder In The Distance
- by Matt Coe
- Posted on 09-12-2013
In down time from Unisonic, vocalist Michael Kiske and bassist Dennis Ward got together with guitarist Uwe Reitenauer, keyboardist Gunther Werno and new drummer Dirk Bruinenberg for the third Place Vendome album "Thunder in the Distance". The formula is similar to the previous records: 13 songs of melodic hard rock with strong AOR vocal harmonies and hooks that carry about in your brain matter for days on end.
Expect soft fare like "It Can’t Rain Forever" that resembles "Agent Provocateur" era Foreigner with spirited up beat material such as "Never Too Late" and "Power of Music" that fits right in line with 1980’s AOR radio, Michael Kiske gliding effortlessly up and down his multi-faceted range. Sometimes Gunther’s keyboard strains lead the way with "My Heart Is Dying" or form a dual harmonic charm with Uwe as on the mysterious "Broken Wings".
Another example of stellar outside songwriting (with help from members of Labyrinth, Radioactive, Hardline, and Sunstorm among others) plus exceptional musical muscle equals a strong final output.