Customer Reviews

Twilight of Destiny

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`China Blue' is the melodic rock outfit of key player Eric Ragno (ex-`Takara') conceived in the late 80s. Having been put on ice for decades, `Twilight of destiny' the band's debut saw the light of day in 2008. In a sense the waiting was worth it as the reformed version of `China Blue' is much more potent than even the most positive would have anticipated. Eric has effectively transformed the totally obscure name of `China Blue' into the most impressive AOR supergroup of the past five years:

Lead singer Tony Mills (`Shy', `TNT'), lead guitarist Josh Ramos (`The storm', `Hardline'), rhythm guitarist Ronny Smith, bass player Doug Odell, drummer Zane Petersen and naturally Ragno on keyboards. At the very center of the `China Blue' sound are Eric's keyboard orchestrations, Josh's characteristic melodic guitar lines and obviously the trademark high-pitched vocals of Mills.

As one would expect the compositions are pretty amazing, for that matter you could say that `Twilight of destiny' references directly the early 80s iconic albums of `Shy' mixed with the sound of `Journey' of the same time. `Changing ways' manages to sound subtle and flamboyant at the same time, `Crimes' has that air of mysticism, while `Take me as I am' is a devastating melodic hard rocker where Ramos unleashes his full class on all fronts.

Truth be told, I bought the album upon its release in 2008 but hesitated to review it directly as I knew I would be biased on the back of the glow of the line up; Still two years past, the material sounds as vivid and passionate as on first play.

This is melodic rock's super group and a rare opportunity to hear the greatest `AOR forces' in one; If you have previously explored this rock subgenre you have probably come across most of these amazing talents. I suspect that in a few years time AOR enthusiasts will be looking at this release as a landmark of post `00s melodic rock.

HUGE FIND, RELEASED BY FRONTIERS RECORDS ITALY DECEMBER 5TH, 2008!!! TONY MILLS HAS NEVER EVER DONE A RELEASE THAT HAS PRONOUNCED HIS VOCALS AS "SENSATIONAL" AS HE HAS SUNG ON THIS GREAT RELEASE!!! THE BAND IS MAGNIFICENT, BLENDING ALL THE AOR MELODICS OF "JOURNEY" WITH A MORE HYPER-PLAYING SUPER-GROUP OF MUSICIANS RANGING FROM "HARDLINE'S" JOSH RAMOS TO "TNT'S" TONY MILLS, TO DAVID READMAN (PINK CREAM 69) SOLO PROJECT RECORDING ARTIST "ERIC RAGNO"...

Hats off to Eric Ragno for putting together a group of stellar musicians together and releasing a masterpiece of recording of AOR brilliance. From start to finish this album will have your undivided attention. Twilight Of Destiny comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Tony Mills does a great job like he has always done and the musicians put together some great music!!!