Crossing Rubicon, a new AOR combo, presents us their first opus, "Perfect Storm". A release of this kind could not escape Frontiers whose little fairies have of course bent over the cradle. More surprisingly, none of the progenitors were known to the Italian stable until then.
The protagonists form a pair with a few guests. The names of the two leaders, John Bisaha and Cenk Eroglu, may evoke fleeting memories for music lovers of an advanced age or with an encyclopedic memory. The first one was the frontman of the Babys, an English gang that had some success in the 80's, while the second one played the guitar on Winger's album "IV".
Crossing Rubicon plays a very classical AOR that sometimes turns to melodic hard rock. Listening to the eleven tracks, one thinks of some big names of the 80's like Journey and Foreigner. Some may even evoke Night Ranger, Winger, TNT, even Toto on 'Scar'. Between retro celebration and arena rock, the new combo will please the fans of the genre. Everything is calibrated, the compositions are polished and the lead guitars are of high level.
There is no question of originality here. But all the tracks with the synths of another age and the almost obsolete choruses have these perfumes of the good old time. So, linger on 'Too Late' and its sepia keyboards, on the almost progressive 'Time (Without You)' or on the very pop rock 'Crash & Burn' which could be a radio hit or on the muscular 'Cry Me A River' that surprises in this ocean of serenity.
Julius Caesar had violated the law of the Roman Senate by crossing the Rubicon, and launched on this occasion an alea jacta est which will make date. The die is cast for Crossing Rubicon, this "Perfect Storm" is now in the hands of fans of the genre. Will they adhere to this project awakening particularly nostalgic memories or will they reproach it for its lack of originality? Only time will tell.