Danger Zone- Undying

Avenue Of Allies
2012

Italy's Danger Zone was formed in the early 80s by guitarist Roberto Priori. In 1984 Danger Zone released the excellent EP, "Victim of Time " on vinyl and the rest is, as they say, history. Or not really as it honestly took the band years to get any sort of recognition, but in the end all Danger Zone was able to muster was a handful of demos. In 1992 the band split-up. It wouldn't be until 2011 that the band would get back together. Releasing the album "Line Of Fire" that same year (review below) the band was back. The thing is "Line Of Fire" featured material that was written/recorded back then (1989) so how would the band stack up to today's heavy metal scene? Just fine thank you. I'm the first to admit that I carry a soft spot when it comes to Danger Zone. When "Victim Of Time" hit my eardrums for the first time it snapped me to attention. So, yes I am a tad bit bias when it comes to this Italian group. They should have been given more attention back in the day for their killer EP, but it seemed to be only in Italy that people knew just how good the band was. From the sounds of "Undying" maybe, just maybe, Danger Zone might get that chance now to bring in new fans. Of of the 12 tracks that make up "Undying" there are a few numbers that are reworkings of previously unreleased tunes from the time period that followed "Line Of Fire". I'd be curious to find out which ones were older numbers verses new numbers although honestly, in the end, it really does not make much of a difference as "Undying" is a nice slab of heavy/power metal with a few tracks flirting with more of a hard rock/traditional heavy metal sound. Joining guitarist Roberto Priori, vocalist Giacomo Gigantelli and drummer Paolo Palmieri is new bassist Roberto Galli. From the moment the album opens (with the straight up metal-infused title cut) you get the impression that Danger Zone haven't missed a beat.The semi-rough vocals of Giacomo Gigantelli fit the mood perfectly. While the title cut almost has this Dio meets Whitesnake vibe the power of "I To I" is undeniable. While guitarist Roberto Priori lays down these sweet licks that wouldn't be out of place on a Dio or Judas Priest (80's version) album Giacomo grabs your attention and your treated to the finest in traditional heavy metal."Half A Chance" is more of the best of early 80's metal (think Mötley Crüe's "Too Fast For Love" meets Dio and you have an idea) while "Paralyzed" is the obligatory ballad. Now, it really isn't my intent to compare Danger Zone's work to other hard rock/metal outs, but a cut like "Hottest Fire" pulls apart the likes of G N' R, Ratt, AC/DC, Judas Priest and Twisted Sister and reassembles them into a power metal cruncher. Other then maybe the keyboard-driven/AOR cut "More Heaven Than Hell" and "Desire" (which sounds like a heavier, pumped up White Lion) "Undying" is more power metal then traditional metal. The mere fact that Danger Zone can write music that has all the best qualities of 80's metal and hard rock with the forcefulness of power metal says a lot. The songs are written in such a way as to emphasize the "rock" aspects of them (the guitars are simply smoother then smooth) so by the time you get to album closer, " Love Still Finds A Way", you feel as if you've had the pleasure of listening to not only a great collection of heavy/power metal numbers, but a great rock and roll LP as well. This is another album that is sure to get repeated plays in my household. Just like a fine woman, once it comes into your life you don't want to let go!

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http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Danger+Zone-Line+Of+Fire

Danger Zone-Line Of Fire

Avenue Of Allies
2011


One day soon I really must do a Forgotten Gems piece on Danger Zone's excellent 1984 EP Victim of Time. Someone please remind me to do that. This album though was the follow-up (there were several demos done in between though) and was recorded back in 1989. Thing is it has it's taken until now for it to see the light of day. These things seem to happen far too often I'm afraid. I had heard that there was some sort of label problems that did the band in and caused this album to be shelved (also the changing tide in the music scene did in the band as well-how many good bands were killed off by the arrival of grunge music I've always wondered?). Whatever the case here is what you need to know. The album has finally been released after years of fanzines, websites and fans of Danger Zone crusading for it and demanding that it get a proper chance. Word of mouth alone for this album reached unheard of heights and it was often mentioned with such passion that it became another Holy Grail for music fans. So what is it with the band Danger Zone (an admittedly cheesy name that brings to mind that movie that shall not be mentioned released a few years later in 1986)? Well, this is top notch/top of the shelf ( meaning it has both a top notch production job and a real professional sound) AOR/melodic hard rock/traditional metal. As it is originally from 1989 it does sound similar to that time period. That being the case and all it still sounds amazing. While looking for more information to write up this review I saw a mention of the band being similar in nature to groups like Bonfire, Europe and the Scorpions. That is a fair enough statement. I'd just like to point out though that while there is a lot of melody at play here Danger Zone are first and foremost are a straight up heavy metal group. It's hard to pin-point their sound and influences though. As with their 1984 EP on Line Of Fire finds Danger Zone in a position where they don't really sound like your normal often copied hard rock bands (ie. AC/DC, Judas Priest, Accept, Motley Crue, Kiss, etc.). Instead they forge their own sound as I mentioned that is somewhere between AOR and heavy handed metal. The group didn't get much attention with the original release of Victim Of Time. It only became a cult release years later (as is the case with many other albums, movies, etc.) It took them many years to really get noticed in fact. In 1988 they toured with Saxon and that was the break finally that they were looking for. They entered the studio with executive producer Stephen Galfas ( who has worked with Savatage, Meatloaf, Stryper, Saxon, The Allman Brothers and even Cher!) and recorded Line Of Fire. First thing I notice on Line Of Fire is the change of vocalists. Massimiliano Merlini was the original vocalist for Danger Zone on the Victim Of Time release. Giacomo "Giga" Gigantelli has taken over on vocals and he has the same commanding vocal style as his predecessor which is a very good thing. The title track opens this album and Giacomo leads the band through would could easily be a eighties style American rock and roll song. With it's catchy chorus and sensational guitar playing this could have very easily been a hit. Track number two is the first of three covers included on the album. On this blistering cover of the 1972 T. Rex's classic "Children Of The Revolution" Danger Zone rock out and craft a song that is heavier than the original. "Walk Away" is a sugary ballad that I felt guilty about enjoying while "Fingers" is a mid-paced rock number featuring backing vocals by Grace Jones of all people. Easily one of the better cuts on the album it again shows that Danger Zone had all the skills needed to succeed back in the day. "State Of The Heart" is up next and is melodic rock at its best. By the time "Hardline" comes on admittedly I am very enamored with this album. Another straight up rocker it fits right in with the hard rock scene that was happening in America in the eighties. With bands like Danger Danger,Ratt, Dokken, Warrant and Poison all the rage Danger Zone was easily capable of not only keeping up with them but beating them at their own game. Someone really screwed up letting them slip through their fingers. I've read that they are back together although that could just be a rumor. Let's hope they are because this is some catchy hard rock on display. Getting back to the album "The Hunger" is up next. Another picture perfect rock number it had me hungry for more. Next up was the second cover song the band choose for the album. This time it's one of "super group" Chequered Past's tunes "Let Me Rock". Again much heavier than the original and dare I say better? "That's Why I Fell In Love With You" is the last cover on Line Of Fire. Originally done by country-rocker Eddie Rabbitt it does seem an odd fit for the album. That said though it plays rather well here and the band works it's magic with the number. The last track is the excellent "Love Dies Hard". With lead guitarist Roberto Priori wailing away this rocker brings to mind everything I love about eighties hard rock/metal. There were times on this disc when Priori reminded me of Eddie Van Halen and other times George Lynch. The guy is that good. Again I have to stress that Danger Zone (despite being from Italy) sound quite American on this release. Sure to please fans of everyone from Night Ranger to Def Leppard to Judas Priest. Don't let the fact that it was originally recorded in 1989 scare you though. As I said it does sound like the time period (how could it not right?) but it still has enough energy to really get you going. I enjoyed this one quite a bit.

Danger Zone-Fire Fire (Single)

Self-Release/Independent
2014

It's been two years since we last heard from Italy's Danger Zone. The thing is, based solely on the high quality melodic rock/hard rock that fans (incl. yours truly!) have come to know and love so much from this Bologna-based group, that seems like more of an eternity! Formed in 1980 (with highly skilled guitarist Roberto Priori serving time as the sole original member!) and known as much for the cult 1984 release, "Victim Of Time" (one EP that I have long dreamed of seeing it get a proper* CD release!) as they are for their excellent 2012 comeback album, "Undying" (with a handful of demo recordings and the very cool "Line Of Fire" nicely sandwiched in-between the two proper studio releases) Danger Zone has long been the type of band that is lovingly embraced by those in the know while (sadly) mainstream success seems to be just beyond the group's reach. One can only hope that the future holds better things for Roberto Priori and his brother's in arms as Danger Zone, which is lead by Giacomo Gigantelli (Spitfire) and (as of this fantastic cover song) has "officially" welcomed new bassist Matteo Minghetti into the fold (with long-time drummer Paolo Palmieri (as wonderful as ever) rounding things out) is simply far too talented and way too good to be ignored forever! Maybe the group's next release (reportedly in the works and rumored to be issued later this year or early 2015) will finally open some eyes & ears to this band's full-potential? In the meantime Danger Zone has released this digital single as a means to tide over fans and possibly hint at what is in store for the new album. Originally performed by Japanese band EZO and often-times covered by Danger Zone on the live stage, "Fire Fire" is a damn near perfect choice of covers for these Italian hard rockers seeing as it's chock full of contagious riffs and it hits the listener from all these different directions at once! Available on iTunes as well as Amazon, "Fire Fire" initially slipped past me someone how this summer but I've more then made up for that oversight by BLASTING (!) this hot slab of hard rock fury over and over again since just discovering it this past Friday! You can check out them video for this hell-raising rock number right below and if you are not entirely  familiar with this highly-underrated Italian group then be sure to check out any of links that I've posted below!

 

*There is a bootleg split CD by Revenge of True Metal Records floating around, but more then anything I would love to see this incredible EP re-mastered and re-packaged with some bonus demo material and possibly even "I Can't Live Without You" from the 1987 compilation album Metalmaniac!

Links:

"Line Of Fire" review:
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2011/04/danger-zone-line-of-fire.html

Article about "Victim Of Time":
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2012/05/forgotten-gems-danger-zone-victim-of.html

Review of 2012's "Undying":
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2012/10/danger-zone-undying.html

Forgotten Gems: Danger Zone-Victim Of Time

It was a little over one year ago that I reviewed Danger Zone's album "Line Of Fire". At the time I started that review off by saying "One day soon I really must do a Forgotten Gems piece on Danger Zone's excellent 1984 EP Victim of Time. Someone please remind me to do that." Well, I honestly did mean to review this EP in the months that followed. But, as is the way sometimes, life got away from me. And since no one ever did remind me it is only now that I finally have the chance to appeal to everyone to find this EP right now! Just think you could have had all that time to rock out to this Forgotten Gem. There is still time though. Your metal heart is urging you deep down inside I know. That feeling of "something is missing in my metal collection" is for this long treasured 6-track affair. The heavy metal universe knows it has to wrong some rights and getting you a copy of this classic is a small step in the right direction. Do the right thing my friends. Anyway, as previously stated, here we are now one whole year later. A lot has changed in that short amount of time for me. How about you? At the time I posted that first review (of "Line Of Fire") I had a house to call my own and a good wife that I adored. These days? Not so much of either I'm afraid. I lost the house about the same time I lost my wife. Or did she purposely lose me? Hard to tell. Either way here I am now raising two kids on my own and living in my parents basement. My opinion of happiness might have changed a little (who needs a house or wife when you have two amazing kids!!!!!), but It's good to at least know that my opinion of this EP has not changed at all! It still sounds classic, metallic and epic. If anything I've grown to appreciate this classic more and more with each play in much the same way I grow to love and appreciate my two kids more and more with each new day. Not sure how that is possible since I loved it like crazy then (this EP) and I loved my kids even more. And yet the feelings are truly stronger....for both. Now, of the many sites I frequent there is one in particular (The Corroseum) that has a spot on review of this gem. I'll provide the link below. I post it because it sums up exactly how I feel about this Italian band's great EP. Sometimes it's better just to refer a album or EP to another review because they appreciate the release as much as or even more than you do! While he (the reviewer) talks about the vinyl copy of "Victim Of Time" all I have is a digital copy. I'd love to pick this one up on plastic, but it becomes more pricey with each passing day. Back to the EP though. There are only 6 tracks on this EP and yet it packs enough pure heavy metal fire power that I would dare stack it next to some of the genres classics. Pound for pound "Victim Of Time" measures up to most American power metal bands of the era. Forget for a moment that this was released in 1984 and instead think about the fact that it still sounds fresh and relevant. Massimiliano Merlini's vocal performance is epic and the band plays with such passion that it's impossible not to cheer for Danger Zone. Had this band received the same sort of breaks that bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden had there is no telling how far they could have gone! You can here samples of the album and find out how you can get a burned copy of it here: http://vibrationsofdoom.com/test/DangerZone.html. I have always wondered why it has never seen a proper CD release. Considering the fact that so many other one and done acts have seen their work re-mastered and re-released and yet "Victim Of Time" hasn't? What gives? Sure, there is split CD bootleg by Revenge Of True Metal Records making the rounds, but since the band gets no money that way I'd stick with Vibrations Of Doom. At least they put money aside for the bands. Somehow, some way this EP needs to get a proper re-release in CD form. The whole works should be in order from a re-mastered sound (even though the production is essentially flawless already!) to new art work (since I've always found the cover a bit cheesy), a bio, lyrics, rare photos and maybe even bonus cuts (how about the three demo tapes that followed this?). What is the hold up? If I had the funds myself I'd be knocking down doors to get this EP out to the metal masses!

http://www.thecorroseum.com/rev/dangerzone.htm (Excellent Review!)

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Danger+Zone-Line+Of+Fire+ (Review Of "Line Of Fire")

Danger Zone-Closer To Heaven

Pride & Joy Music
2016

Formed in 1980 by skilled guitarist Roberto Priori, Danger Zone is a Italian band with three full-length releases to it's name now thanks to the soon-to-be-released (and must-have!) "Closer To Heaven". Arguably one of my all time favorite heavy/power metal turned hard rock/AOR bands, Danger Zone released the exceptional EP, "Victim Of Time", back in 1984* and in the process they easily set themselves apart from the crowd thanks to phenomenal playing and meticulously-crafted material! Having previously covered not only their 2011 album, "Line Of Fire", and 2012's "Undying", but also their 2014 cover of  E.Z.O.'s "Fire Fire" I had high hopes for the forty minute plus "Closer To Heaven". Thankfully Danger Zone's new 11 track album is everything one could hope for and more! Produced by Roberto Priori and Jody Gray at the PriStudio in Bologna, "Closer To Heaven" offers a near-perfect balancing act between melodic rock, melodic hard rock, guitar rock and even pop metal! It's no real secret that these days Danger Zone are more AOR than hard & heavy, but thanks to the (clean and crisp) heavy rock guitar playing of Roberto Priori none of that matters! Danger Zone's third full-length album flies straight at you with one great cut after another! On this Italian band's latest home run recording you'll be greeted by catchy AOR moments AND smoking hot hard rock blazers! That first part would be the album's first half (or if this was a LP then it would be the A side). Tracks 1-5 are AOR done just right! With stellar performances from Danger Zone's other key players (vocalist Giacomo Gigantelli, bassist Matteo Minghetti, and drummer Paolo Palmieri) and guest keyboard contributions from Pier Mazzini (Perfect View) and Michele Luppi (Whitesnake) this four-piece band cashes in all their chips on their chips on these first five cuts! And yet somehow once "I Love Crazy" kicks in all bets are off! Danger Zone shakes things up guitar rock-worthy tracks like "I Love Crazy", "All for You", and "T'night". Meanwhile we find "Human Contact" splitting the difference between classic AOR and slick modern hard rock and it's a thing of absolute beauty! Melodic hard rock fans will appreciate "Not That Lonely" and then there is the aptly-titled "Hard Rock Paradise" which closes things out on the right note. Not that there is a wrong note to be found anywhere among these 11 tracks! Each and every song on "Closer To Heaven" has something truly special to offer all but making this forthcoming LP a must-buy! If I offered a grading scale on my site this one would be a 9 out of 10 as there is nothing here that I don't like!! Had the band thrown in a straight-up metal number (something along the lines of the Judas Priest/Iron Maiden-like stone cold killer material off of "Victim Of Time"!) "Closer To Heaven" would be a 10 out of 10, but that's more a matter of me being super picky as opposed to the unsurpassed talent of this high-class Italian quartet! Due to drop on April 15th, "Closer To Heaven" is a fantastic piece of work from Roberto Priori and company and it should be enthusiastically embraced by new and old fans alike!


 

* If the band is reading this (and I hope they do) could we possibly get a expanded re-release of "Victim Of Time" on CD? Back in 2012 I mentioned how much I wanted to see this classic get it's proper due. What I wrote then still holds true. And that would be the following: "Somehow, some way this EP needs to get a proper re-release in CD form. The whole works should be in order from a re-mastered sound (even though the production is essentially flawless already!) to new art work (since I've always found the cover a bit cheesy), a bio, lyrics, rare photos and maybe even bonus cuts (how about the three demo tapes that followed this?). What is the hold up? If I had the funds myself I'd be knocking down doors to get this EP out to the metal masses!"