Multi-instrumentalist Dennis Atlas joined AOR giants Toto a couple of years ago having gained himself some attention from his debut solo album released in 2021.
Now here we are in 2026 and Dennis has just released his second solo album – Principle.
It’s a tasty and varied mixture of powerful rockers and some proggy stuff over which Dennis showcases his talents very well – particularly keys, synths and vocals – joined by some of his Toto band mates and other heavyweights.
The short, weird yet gripping instrumental of Surprises from Within gives way to a couple storming, bombastic slabs of proggy metal in the form of Violent Power and Scare Me.
Great riffing, keys mixing in, powerful drumming, scorching solos and soaring, rangy vocal from Dennis. A couple of attention grabbers.
Games changes the pace being a slow burning, brooding throwback to 1980s-syle electronica. Yet it works so well. The solo from Bumblefoot is a thing of beauty. A strangely compelling song.
Instincts is I suppose what you might deem “traditional” melodic rock with the hooks in there. Though it’s more than that with some well placed guitar and Dennis stretching out on his keyboard work.
Different World brings more variety being Dennis and a piano for an emotional ballad type thing. Nicely performed though not my bag.
Relative Fiction is a fun retro-80s with some weird effects then more weirdness with the short instrumental of Candy on Mars throughout which Dennis squeezes up some bizarre sounds. Quirky indeed.
When the Monster Attacks is well constructed prog with a dark feel building throughout the five minutes. The prog foray continuing with Save it for Tomorrow being somewhat layered in arrangement with a fine saxophone meandering away.
The closer of We Can Be the Future stretches out over seven minutes swings this way and that with a bit of everything going on for an “arena rock” feel.
Here’s the video for Violent Power:
With Principle, Dennis has a varied and enjoyable album. Thanks to AC at Bad Dog Promotions for sending it over to me. Check it out for yourself.
>> DENNIS ATLAS PRINCIPLE ON AMAZON MUSIC <<
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