When Frontiers Records President Serafino Perugino suggested to former Rainbow vocalist Joe Lynn Turner that he put a band together, drummer Carmine Appice was called given his long history of friendship and musical camaraderie with Turner, then fretless bass master Tony Franklin was soon aboard, reuniting the rhythm section from the legendary Blue Murder debut. Longtime Turner collaborator, guitarist Karl Cochran completed the quartet, and Rated X was born.
The band’s 12-song, self-titled album opens with the chunky drums of “Get Back My Crown,” a Rainbow-like mover with a catchy chorus. The strut of “This Is Who I Am,” a tune about self-defiance, is a step up with Cochran’s wailing guitar work. Here we get some subtle drumming from Appice, something he manages effortlessly. “Fire And Ice” sees Franklin’s bass and Appice’s snare locked and loaded under of the snarl of Cochrane’s guitar and Alessandro Del Vecchio’s organ.
“Lhasa,” the album’s epic centerpiece, really brings the talents of these guys to the fore. Opening with cymbal bells and atmospheric low-moaning synths, this song is high on medieval lyrical imagery, with a deep tapestry that shows off Turner’s voice, Franklin’s solid bass and trilling from Cochran. Del Vecchio lays heavy on his organ and offers perfect harmony counterpoint vocal to Turner. The song’s middle progressive instrumental movement is especially effective, with all kinds of rumbling from Franklin and Appice.
“You Are The Music,” with Daniel Palmqvist on guitar, is steady and melodic, while the piano-led ballad “Maybe Tonight” has a Rainbow vibe and features Nikolo Kotzev on guitar. “Stranger In Us All,” the album’s closer, sees the band at its heaviest. Organ, drums and bass are locked in while Turner expounds on a dark theme. The music moves with Del Vecchio’s organ and backing vocals lifting things to a higher plateau. As a whole, Rated X is a cut above the rest, bringing seasoned musicians together for a round of heavy fun with explosive, uncanny results.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
