Spanish vocalist Gabrielle De Val has her first solo album with Kiss in a Dragon Night. It’s a full-on slab of high class hard edged melodic rock/metal and a fine showcase for Gabrielle’s talents.
Her voice is smooth, powerful, rangy and controlled suiting the songs very well. Musicianship and production is top notch with some heavyweight guest vocalists which she duets with on some tracks including Mark Boals, Robin McAuley, Terry Brock, Mick Devine and Steve Overland.
As well as the monster hooks and melodies all the way through the guitar solos are superb as are the riffs and the big chords. Top stuff from first note to last.
Take on the World is a big, chunky infectious opener. Three and a half minutes of punchy hard melodic rock getting in to your head immediately. Strong chorus, scorching guitar.
When Midnight Comes has Mark Boals sharing the vocals with Gabrielle. Another fine, fine song with the pair of them trading wonderfully with lots more of the luscious guitar work going on too.
Next up is a cover of Mike Oldfield’s Moonlight Shadow. It’s rocked up nicely from the original with Gabrielle putting in a sensitive, flowing vocal doing the cover justice.
The always value for money Robin McAuley appears on the title track. A sort of half ballad/half rocker with an atmospheric touch.
Candle in the Window bursts out in to a fine hook-laden melodic rocker after a slowish start and Gabrielle’s vocals shining through. Have a look at the video:
We have another cover in the form of Magnum’s Stayin’ Alive with Terry Brock sharing the vocal. Strikes me as a bit stilted and the only slight miss on the album.
The next three tracks – Fuel to the Fire, Natural High and Let’s Get Something Started up the ante as a fine trio of pumped up harder edged melodic rockers, particularly Natural High with Steve Overland coming in. For me the highlight of the album.
Hold On brings it to a close with a bit of a slow-burner brooding ballad ending a dozen tracks of supremely well done melodic rock with De Val using the opportunity to show what a great voice she has.
A very enjoyable and classy solo debut indeed. Am looking forward to her next album.
Check it out for yourself – it’s on Escape Music:
http://www.escape-music.com