House of Lords – Saint of the Lost Souls
2017, Frontier Records
- Harlequin
- Oceans Divide
- Hit the Wall
- Saint of the Lost Souls
- The Sun Will Never Set Again
- New Day Breakin’
- Reign of Fire
- Concussion
- Art of Letting Go
- Grains of Sand
- The Other Option
Band:
James Christian – Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboard
Jimi Bell – Guitar
Chris Tristram – Bass
B.J. Zampa – Drums, Backing Vocals
Producer: James Christian & B.J. Zampa
Released during the first quarter of 2017, Saint of the Lost Souls is an album I’ve put off listening to until late summer of 2017 simply because I know what to expect from House of Lords at this point.
For instance, I already know James Christian is a killer vocalist and after 11 albums and nearly 30 years of House of Lords, he sounds just as good as he ever has. I also know to expect the same style of polished melodic hard rock that band has been playing forever. I know to expect a mix of syrupy sweet AOR and heavier tunes. There’s pure AOR like “Hit the Wall”, “The Sun Will Never Set Again” & “Art of Letting Go” while “Saint of Lost Souls” and “Grains of Sand” go harder. It’s those heavier and harder tracks that I find most interesting and less generic.
Saint of the Lost Souls is a solid, if formulaic, album that blends in with the last handful of releases and doesn’t do anything to standout. Fans of the band may not fall in love with this release but I’m sure many will find it to be acceptable but stale, just as I have. At this point, I am hoping the band decides to throw us a curve ball on the next album to shake things up. At the very least, I would love for an album full of heavier tracks that feature some shredding solos (such as the title track).
Highlights: “Harlequin”, “Saint of the Lost Souls”