AA.VV.
Rock Star - Soundtrack

THE REVIEW

BETWEEN FICTION AND REALITY

Jeff Scott Soto - vocals

Michael Matijevic - vocals

Zakk Wylde - guitar

Jeff Pilson - bass

Jason Bonahm - drums

Steel Dragon: a band created for the 2001 film "Rock Star" by recruiting some of the best artists from the hard & heavy scene.

An unprecedented lineup, but when there's talent, the results almost emerge mathematically, and there's plenty of talent here: Jeff Scott Soto (who performs most of the pieces) has been a guarantee for decades, boasting collaborations with a wide range of artists (Yngwie Malmsteen among them), with a simply devastating voice; Michael Matijevic is no less, the leader of Steelheart, another stage beast; Zakk Wylde needs no introduction, former guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and current leader of Black Label Society, one of the best around; on bass is Jeff Pilson, already the bassist for Dokken, Ronnie James Dio, and Foreigner; and finally Jason Bonahm, son of the legendary John of Led Zeppelin, manages quite well on drums, good blood doesn't lie (incidentally, Wylde, Pilson, and Bonahm participated as actors in the film as members of the fictional band).

Let's get to the tracks. ""We All Die Young" is the only track performed by Michael Matejevic, it's a cover by Steelheart, completely revisited and even better than the original, a goosebump-inducing power ballad. ""Stand Up" features a Jeff Scott Soto deserving of an Oscar: the screams introducing the track and those preceding Zack Wylde's solo are textbook hard rock; in the same vein is ""Blood Pollution" where Bonahm provides a great demonstration of his talent in the intro but Soto and Wylde steal the show as it progresses, magnificent. ""Long Live Rock & Roll" and ""Livin 'The Life" are two classic streetwise hard rock tracks, dirty, brazen, with guaranteed engagement; finally, ""Wasted Generation" seems to come from the repertoire of the best Motley Crue (oh how nice to breathe the flavor of those years.. tear).

It's a shame they didn't follow up on the "Rock Star" experience, there were all the prerequisites for doing well. However, what Steel Dragon gave us, whether real or fictional, is of absolute value.

I conclude by launching a poll/proposal: Velvet Revolver are looking for a singer, wouldn't Jeff Scott Soto be suitable for them?