SOTO - Inside The Vertigo
June 12, 2015, 8 years ago
(earMusic)
New solo effort/band from former Yngwie Malmsteen/Axel Rudi Pell vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, although it was recorded over a year ago, beginning in late 2013. In part that's probably due to the number of guests, including Gus G (Firewind/Ozzy), Jason Bieler (Saigon Kick), Mike Orlando (Adrenaline Mob and frequent That Metal Show visitor), Casey Grillo (Kamelot) and current Whitesnake/ex-Night Ranger string bender Joel Hoekstra, all of whom had a hand in writing the songs onwhich they play.
Previous solo outings saw him delving heavily into catchy AOR pop tunes and funk. None of that here, although the simple, modern, staccato stomp of "The Fall" has taken some beating on the Net (comparisons to Nickelback) and there's some slap bass and synthesizers on video track "Break". "End Of Days" briefly features a children's choir, before going off on a shredfest. Befitting his age/experience, much of the remainder is AOR fodder, although paradoxically "Trance" features a glorified video game soundtrack/guitar solo.
