Hungryheart
One Ticket To Paradise

Second studio work, second bullseye. The desire to amaze by Hungryheart seems to have no brake, now leading figures in the international melodic hard rock revival, with two albums of significant artistic depth: the self-titled one from 2008 and this brand-new "One Ticket To Paradise".

Compared to their debut, supporting Josh Zighetti (one of the most beautiful vocal timbres I've ever heard) and Mario Percudiani (guitar), we now have Steve Lozzi (bass) and Paolo Botteschi (drums). Worth noting are the collaborations with Nicolò Fragile (Gotthard) and Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge Of Forever, Glenn Hughes, Eden's Curse).

"Stand Up" opens the album, and right away the time machine projects us into the wonderful 80s: irresistible refrain and chilling chorus for a track that is like manna from heaven upon waking. On the same wavelength are the title track and "Boulevard of Love": thrilling, exhilarating, at times orgasmic (those who love the genre will understand me). I use them for my daily workout, it's impossible to ignore the energy and passion they exude.

A peculiar feature of every band in this genre is alternating energetic and impactful tracks with refined and romantic melodies. But composing a ballad that can hit the mark is increasingly complex, yet even in this task, Hungryheart showcases their remarkable artistic dimension, brushing the emotional masterpiece with tracks like "A Million Miles Away", "Let Somebody Love You", and "You Won't Be Alone".

These are the best moments, the unforgettable ones. But the quality remains high throughout the length of the work. Songs like "Angela" and "Just a Little Closer" leave many bands, even renowned ones, in the dust, which for too long have been content with coasting on the laurels of their past.

Finally, I’d like to point out the beautiful cover of "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson.

At the moment (for me), the best hard rock album of 2010, and the fact that it was made by an Italian band can only be pleasing.