By
Becky Dorsett,
Houston Contributor
Wednesday, January 8, 2014 @ 4:43 PM
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PLACE VENDOME Thunder in the Distance
Frontiers
Place Vendome is a beautiful little area in Paris. It's also one of Serafino Perugino's pet projects. PLACE
VENDOME started in 2004 when Michael Kiske, following a self-imposed hiatus from the rock and metal scene which
only lasted a few years after his departure from HELLOWEEN and solo career accepted an offer in 2004 to be part of
a melodic rock-oriented concept put together by Frontiers Records president Serafino Perugino.
Following his stint with the band UNISONIC, Kiske decided to go back once again to the PLACE VENDOME concept
with more melodic rock-oriented songs which, once again, have been selected by Perugino from outside writers, including
Magnus Karlsson (PRIMAL FEAR), Timo Tolkki (ex-STRATOVARIUS), Alessandro Del Vecchio (HARDLINE), Roberto Tiranti
and Andrea Cantarelli (LABYRINTH, A PERFECT DAY), Tommy Denander (RADIOACTIVE), Sören Kronqvist (SUNSTORM, ISSA),
and Brett Jones. Between the amazing writers and the notable and amazing Dennis Ward producing PLACE
VENDOME’s third CD, Thunder In The Distance is stronger and seems more heartfelt.
There are 13 total tracks on this CD and each one could stand alone, not a single “filler” song on this CD. Some of the
edgier songs are "Broken Wings", "Lost In Paradise", "Fragile Ground" and the title track "Thunder in
the Distance". Yet these are still tempered with a crisp melody and rinse of keyboards. On the more AOR side of
things, "Break Out", "It Can't Rain Forever", "Hold Your Love" and "Power of Music" tones
things back a bit more.
Out of all the tracks "Power of Music" is my absolute favorite. This is a CD that you can listen to over
and over again and not get tired of listening or feel like you need to change it to something else.
Thunder in the Distance is a strong CD and as always the strong vocals of Kiske and the outstanding
musicianship of the others keeps you listening to see what the next song is going to be like.
There are 13 total tracks on this CD and each one could stand alone, not a single “filler” song on this CD. Some of the
edgier songs are "Broken Wings", "Lost In Paradise", "Fragile Ground" and the title track "Thunder in
the Distance". Yet these are still tempered with a crisp melody and rinse of keyboards. On the more AOR side of
things, "Break Out", "It Can't Rain Forever", "Hold Your Love" and "Power of Music" tones
things back a bit more.