Review | Landfall – Wide Open Sky

Frontiers Music Srl

`Wide Open Sky’ of Landfall solidifies the Brazilian melodic rockers’ rising star, while showcasing their growth and claiming their place in the genre. Released on January 17, this album somewhat passed me by and revisiting I concluded to have missed out. Though it is not the boundary pushing record some might wish for, `Wide Open Sky’ proves a solid release in AOR-inspired melodic hard rock, and pushes forward with great dynamics ‘freshing’ up the sonic tapestry of classics.

From the opening notes of ,,Tree of Life” it’s clear that Landfall has honed their craft to near perfection. Ex-Auras Gui Oliver‘s vocals soar with a golden lined timbre reminiscent of Journey’s Steve Perry soaring pitch and Andy Kuntz’ crooning register, while Marcelo Gelbcke‘s guitar work dazzles with intricate riffs and soulful solos. The rhythm section of Luis Rocha on bass and Felipe Souzza on drums provides a rock-solid foundation, driving each track with precision and passion. It just gels well and creates great memorable moments.

CREATIVE VERSATILITY

The album’s 11 tracks showcase the band’s versatility within the melodic rock spectrum, blending classic modules from Giant and Survivor with the heavier dynamic grooves of White Lion (circa `Mane Attraction’), Neal Schon’s Soul Sirkus and Journey (`Arrival’). ,,SOS’’ delivers an urgent, powerful anthem that will have listeners air-drumming along. Gui modulates wide ranges and balances a fine line that will eventually grow onto the listener. ,,When the Curtain Falls’’ on the other hand demonstrates the band’s ability to craft a touching, reflective progressive demi slow mover. Gearing down the soaring ,,A Letter to You’’ stands as a statement of passioned ballad-craft, with Gui reaching great heights.

Touching the classics of the genre, tracks like ,,Running in Circles’’, the turbulent epic ,,Hourglass”, and the heavier ,,Coming Home” and dynamic drummed ,,Intoxicated” and ,,Higher than the Moon”,display the band’s creative versatility delivering crooning melodic tracks. The subtle addition of keyboards adds rich texture to the band’s four-piece setup, creating a rich sonic landscape that will satisfy even the most discerning melodic rock aficionados, and never goes over the top. No, Landfall leans on its heavier guitars and intense melodies, with Gelbcke more than once baffling his audience with his insane solos and inventive licks.

LANDFALL – THE CONCLUSION

Heavily nesting choruses add the luster needed, and are found on most tracks, but especially on ,,No Tomorrow” with its keen shifting gears and weeping solo, and the previously mentioned ,,Coming Home”. The title track, ,,Wide Open Sky’’, serves as a fitting closer, encapsulating the album’s themes of growth and boundless potential.

What sets `Wide Open Sky’ apart is its ability to balance catchy hooks with genuine emotional depth. With Gui performing at the top of his range, I do add that for some listeners this might be something to get used to, but his delivery falls in line with the track’s high demands. For fans of classic melodic rock with AOR-reminiscent intensely melodic structures and great musical craftsmanship, `Wide Open Sky’ is a must-listen. Landfall has delivered an album that pays homage to the genre’s roots and pushes it forward with fresh energy and songwriting prowess. With this release, Landfall cements their status as a solid act in the genre. Not groundbreaking, but immediately nesting while injecting a comfortable nostalgic feel without lacking the dynamics needed to thrive. Solid!

Release date: 17 January 2025