Iain Ashley Hersey

Fallen Angel

 

TRACK LISTING
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.

1999 Avex / 2000 IAH records.

Running Time: 60.50

 

RELATED RELEASES [BY ARTIST]
None, this is Iain Ashley Hersey's debut release.

 RELATED RELEASES [IN SOUND]
Stuart Smith - Heaven & Earth [1999]
James Byrd - Crimes Of Virtuosity [1998]
Whitesnake - 1987 [1987]

 

Those of you that own Stuart Smith's excellent 'Heaven & Earth' will hopefully recognise the name Iain Ashley Hersey as he appeared on the track ‘Road To Melnibone’. Well this is his debut release and at the time of writing is only available in Japan which is a crime as this album is virtually 100% gold. In many ways this album is like a cousin to Stuart Smiths 'Heaven & Earth', their styles are pretty similar and their influences appear to be the same. Whereas Stuart's album took an AOR turn in places 'Fallen Angel' is a rockier affair but still full of superb hooks and melodies. Iain's guitar style is harder hitting as well and includes some nice jazz-fusion esque phrasing in places. 3 talents - namely Dante Marchi, Mike Stone and Paul Shortino, handle the vocals. There are also a few instrumentals that show off Iain's fretboard prowess to the full.

 

1. LICENSE TO KILL [6.25]
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 [5.16]
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 [5.20]
A track that wouldn't be out of place on SS's 'Heaven & Earth'. An almost AOR type verse and a chorus that raises the levels a bit but is still full of melody 'Distant memories of love are on my mind, All the feelings I once knew are they somewhere out in time? Distant memories of love are on my mind, an empty past a foggy view, is all I seem to find'. The solo is again perfection and reminds me a bit of Richie Sambora's best work. 

4. STEEPLE CHASE [4.16]
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 [4.48]
Quite heavy and hard hitting. Mike Stone’s voice is strong and quite bluesy – ‘It’s the gates of hell, the city of lost souls. With the sirens call, to the spiders web. The songs have been played now the piper wants his due, and the eye of the tiger staring straight at you’. 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 [4.49]
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 [5.22]
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 [4.20] 
9. OCEANS OF TIME [5.33]
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 [4.08]
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 – ‘Why does it haunt you baby, can’t you feel the flame still burning? Don’t come apart now love, got to keep on pushing keep on dreaming’. The solos are superb with meaty Strat licks coming in from every angle –wow!

11. ON THE EDGE [4.48]
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 – ‘Living on the edge, with no care for tomorrow. Burning out of control, it’s the game that you play’. The solo is quite superb (again) and carries a strong Blackmore vibe to it. Another of my favourite tracks.

12. MORIAH [5.45]
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 deeply. Everyone I have played this track to have all had the same thought –‘sheer emotion’, an absolute stunner.

[Japanese Bonus Track] THE OUTCASTE [5.00]
Another bluesy metallic track. It’s probably the weakest on offer and seeing that it’s the Japanese bonus track doesn’t really surprise me. It is still an okay track just not up to the standard displayed elsewhere. The solo helps restore some faith in the track, but as Iain’s playing is exemplary throughout this is no surprise.

 

Well what can I really say about this album? The first thing would have to be do anything to get hold of a copy. Secondly I thought Stuart Smith's debut album was a bit special but this tops it; 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. If there is one slight fault then it would be the production, but the raw feel was probably intended and as its only a Japanese release then the budget was more than likely not that big, but Pat Regan has done a stellar job and it would be difficult to picture the songs sounding any different, so that perhaps kills that gripe. Overall a marvelous album that will serve you well for years to come.  With the album now available as a domestic US release through amazon.com you have no excuse to not own it.

RATING
9.0

HOTSPOTS: License To Kill, Distant Memories, No Stranger, Hold On.

BOTTOM LINE: Stunning songs and guitar work combine to awesome effect.

Review by Andy Craven

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