Frontiers Music, the Italian-based label known for embracing new music from legendary rock artists, returns with another impactful project: Rated X. The self-titled debut album (out now) features all new songs built upon a classic hard rock foundation, with a distinctly contemporary edge.

The band has shot and released its second official music video, this time for the song “Fire And Ice”, one of the album’s most powerful tracks. A straight performance clip, the edgy black and white video focuses on the band’s musicianship and Joe Lynn Turner’s soaring vocals.

Rated X was formed at the suggestion of Frontiers President Serafino Perugino, who mentioned to singer Joe Lynn Turner that a band of highest caliber musicians should be assembled to create an album of classic hard rock music. Turner, the former lead vocalist for both Rainbow and Deep Purple and a solo artist in his own right, agreed, and the search for the right players was on. Carmine Appice, who already had a relationship with Frontiers, was on board immediately. A true percussion icon, Appice’s resume is one that rock legends are made of: Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Ozzy Osbourne, Rod Stewart, Blue Murder, King Kobra and others.

Appice’s former Blue Murder bandmate and bassist, Tony Franklin (best known for his work with The Firm, Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers, David Gilmour, Kate Bush, and Whitesnake), signed up next. After a lengthy search for the right guitarist, they settled on long-time Turner collaborator Karl Cochran, who has also worked with Ace Frehley, and worked in the past with Joe Lynn Turner on his solo albums.

“I believe we wanted to keep it a bit retro with a modern edge,” says Turner. “The songs are classic rock, but then that's an understatement. They are what they are; and they transformed as we went along recording. So, all in all, we are very happy to finish the record and finally able to get it out to the public. Everyone in this band is a true individual and stylist. When you put it all together, you have Rated X.”

 

 

The debut album, simply titled, Rated X, is remarkable in that it sounds like a band that has worked together as a unit for years. The songs are powerful and the performances are tight and innovative. Frontiers in-house producer, Alessandro del Vecchio, not only handled studio production but added keyboards on several tracks. Pat Regan (Mr Big, Deep Purple, Gotthard, Kiss, Doro) mixed the album.

Says Carmine Appice: “With his help in coming up with the song ideas and working together with the band I believe we came up with the sound from the late 70s -80s. To me, it sounds like Blue Murder with Joe Lynn Turner singing. Having Tony and myself as the rhythm section and with the heavy guitars, it gives the record a Blue Murder-vibe. Then, adding Alessandro on keys gave us a bit of the Deep Purple thing. It all works together and I loved playing each song.”

 

 

Tracklisting:

"Get Back My Crown"
"This Is Who I Am"
"Fire And Ice"
"I Don't Cry No More"
"Lhasa"
"Devil In Disguise"
"You Are The Music"
"Peace Of Mind"
"Maybe Tonight"
"On The Way To Paradise"
"Our Love Is Not Over"
"Stranger In Us All"

EPK:

"This Is Who I Am" video:

"Stranger In Us All" lyric video: