KISKE/SOMERVILLE – City of Heroes
The second project album between vocalists Michael Kiske and Amanda Somerville, "City of Heroes" contains 12 songs of varied melodic hard rock and semi-power metal numbers, some of which work better than others. The commercially obvious "Rising Up" could be a more gothic/symphonic rendition of "Future World", while "Breaking Neptune" is another mid-tempo, chorus driven affair. "Open Your Eyes" features a strong drum and twin guitar harmony structure that is Power Metal 101, and probably the best Amanda Somerville melody delivered on the album.
Being honest, Michael Kiske’s nasally affect can drive me crazy from time to time, evident on more up-tempo material like "Last Goodbye" or the AOR-oriented closer "Right Now". This is a case of output not living up to musical talent and expectations, as the songwriting is very by the book without surprise. Approach cautiously and accordingly.