Fallen Angel

Iain Ashley Hersey | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 1, 1999)
• Original Release Date: June 1, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rock Dog
• ASIN: B00005249Z
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #471,337 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. License to Kill

2. Goin' Down and Dirty

3. Distant Memories

4. Steeple Chase

5. Into the Fire

6. Over My Head

7. No Stranger

8. Tangled Web

9. Oceans of Time

10. Hold On

11. On the Edge

12. Moriah

Editorial Reviews

Heavy melodic, classic blusey-rock, with a hint of fusion overtones. Musically includes arena oriented rock and atmospheric haunting instrumentals.

Originally released in Japan and until now was only available as an import. This version is repackaged with new artwork, musically is the same with the exception of one bonus track targeted to the Japanese market and is more reasonably priced.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A STUNNING COLLECTION OF STRAT LADEN HARD ROCK!, January 4, 2001

By 

"strat110" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fallen Angel (Audio CD)

1 License To Kill - A great opener that has a superb intro instrumental that recalls the 'James Bond' theme tune [the title is a 007 film], although this sounds bizarre it is actually pretty damn good as Iain plays around the theme with superb melodies and a guitar tone that is as good as it gets. The track then travels into original pastures for a frantically paced rocker in a style reminiscent of James Byrd. Danti Marchi's voice is strong and reminds me a little of Artension's John West. The solo is reminiscent of Yngwie with sweeping arpeggios and the like. Iain tone is very pure and each notes really stands out and smacks you in the face - love it! An impressive opener.

2 Goin' Down & Dirty - Another good track that sees good use of light and shade. The verse is quite atmospheric and laid back but the chorus is in the same vein as classic Dokken with its addictive quality. Again Danti does a stellar job on the vocals. The track has a great vibe to it and the solo is again superb. Impressive stuff so far.

3 Distant Memories - A track that wouldn't be out of place on Stuart Smith's 'Heaven & Earth'. An almost AOR type verse and a chorus that raises the levels a bit but is still full of melody. The solo is again perfection and reminds me a bit of Richie Sambora's best work.

4 Steeple Chase - The first instrumental on the album containing several main themes. Iain's playing seems to encompass of a wide diversity of styles, the general effect is one that can only be described as a mixture of Ritchie Blackmore, Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani and Richie Kotzen. A first class song of its style.

5 Into The Fire - Quite heavy and hard hitting. Mike Stone's voice is strong and quite bluesy. The bridge is quite excellent paving way for the first class solo which is something Iain should be very proud of - quite superb. The chorus is the only let down as it's a little weak and gets a bit repetitive at the end.

6 Over My Head - Funk and Rock combine to great effect, this is not Chili Peppers style funk (luckily) but more like the sort Aerosmith and Zeppelin churned out in their 70's heyday. A great riff over which Stone shines again. Pat Regan's production is quite superb here giving the recording a raw mean vibe, this is not a slick production by any means but this is half its charm and certainly adds to the live feel displayed.

7 No Stranger - Opening with another variation on the Bond theme before hitting its stride with a very Whitesnake-ish riff - a good reference point would be `Give Me All Your Love Tonight', this is more like the way Blackmore would play it as opposed to John Sykes' metallic brilliance. The solo is again quite superb with a great flow to it. Mike sounds quite like a mix of David Coverdale and a strong Jon Bon Jovi.

8 Tangled Web - 9 Oceans Of Time - Two more instrumentals each with Iain's six-string prowess firmly to the fore. `Tangled Web' is quite bluesy with a strong European vibe, `Oceans Of Time' is more mystical and Blackmore-ish, it's in the same vein as `The Road To Melnibone' on Stuart Smith's `Heaven & Earth' opus. Both instrumentals are highly listenable and prove that Iain has a real talent when it comes writing quality solo pieces.

10 Hold On - Another excellent track that could easily be a contender for the best here. The chorus is so addictive and heartfelt that it just begs for repeated spins. The bridge is full of emotional metallic excellence whilst the solos are superb with meaty Strat licks coming in from every angle -wow!

11 On The Edge - A dark track with superb riffs and vocal melodies. Mike's voice soars and really makes you feel like you are on the edge. The chorus is quite majestic and again I can find no fault with this track. The solo is quite superb (again) and carries a strong Blackmore vibe to it. Another of my favourite tracks.

12 Moriah - Another quality instrumental that serves as a fine closer to the album. The tempo is slow and the guitar is pretty haunting at times, a quite beautiful delicate memory that is sure to make anyone who hears it think about deeply embedded thoughts they normally wouldn't like to recall. Everyone I have played this track to have all had the same thought -`sheer emotion', an absolute stunner.

Well what can I really say about this album? The first thing would have to be do anything to get hold of a copy. The sheer emotion, clarity, smoothness and downright musical content in Iain's guitar work throughout is stunning. His ability to write great songs is just a whisker behind. The production has a raw feel but was probably intended this way, producer Pat Regan has done a stellar job and it would be difficult to picture the songs sounding any different. Overall a marvelous album that will serve you well for years to come.

4.0 out of 5 stars 'Strat straight into the Marshall'..., November 5, 2000

By 

Bete Noire (Vancouver, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fallen Angel (Audio CD)

...to quote Iain's own description of his amazing guitar sound.This has to be one of the most inspired and musically honest rock album I've heard in many years,blending blues,rock,and jazzier influences into a heavy and hard hitting sound,brimming with passion.Even though Iain's influences range from Beck and Clapton to Blackmore and very complex jazz forms and improvisation,he manages to wonderfully rise above the status of a mere immitator.On this veritable gem of an album he is joined by vocalists such as:Paul Shortino,Dante Marchi,and Mike Stone,who all lend a hand in creating a beautiful album,reminiscent of Deep Purple,Rainbow,Whitesnake and other heavy blues rock influences,all resulting in an alchemy of passion,inspiration,and guitar virtuosity.Iain is a legend in the making...This album is an essential item for any serious rock,blues or metal aficionado and it will make converts out of unbelievers!