Review | Marchello – Destiny

High Roller Records reissue (preceding review)

Nearly thirty-six years after its original 1989 release, ‘Destiny’ by Marchello is stepping out of obscurity. Originally pressed in limited quantities on CBS Records, this one-and-only album from New York’s Marchello never found the wide audience it deserved. Something any fan of pumping ’80s hard rock and AOR will certainly regret.

Word of mouth has grown steadily over the following decades, with melodic rockers ignited, and ‘Destiny’ is now regarded a cult classic, full of expertly constructed songs and gleaming melodic craftsmanship. This fall, HighRoller Records will press ‘Destiny’ onto vinyl for the first time, giving fans golden opportunity to rediscover its power.

SHIFTING MUSICAL LANDSCAPE

Marchello was an unlikely but powerful union. Singer-guitarist Gene Marchello, son of Good Rats frontman Peppi Marchello, teamed up with his father’s songwriting genius to form the band in the late 1980s. Gene’s virtuosic guitar work and soaring vocals in the front of the album, with Peppi lending his experienced touch to production and songwriting. Gene teamed up bassist Nick DiMichino, adding tight bass and backing vocals, and drummer John Miceli (Alice Cooper, Joe Lynn Turner and Meat Loaf), laying down the rock-solid foundation and grooves.

Rounding out the line-up, keyboard player Gary Bivona, adds the right color and texture to blend everything together. This quintet shaped ‘Destiny’ into a sleek hard rock / melodic metal statement blazing its own trail. Cut in New York in 1988 and issued on CBS in early 1989, ‘Destiny’ arrived in a crowded scene of glam, AOR and heavy rock, and distinguished itself immediately. Creating waves on its release, the 500 pressed copies instantly sold out.

By the time an entire second album ‘Power of Money’ was recorded in 1991, the musical landscape shifted, and enthusiasm faded. With the announced re-issue of the album on vinyl and CD fans can also gear up towards the first official release of the ‘The Power of Money’, also on both mediums.

‘80S MELODIC ROCK

From the first note, ‘Destiny’ barges in with pure ’80s melodic rock. Each song is crisply arranged with sharp riffs, polished vocal harmonies, and a production that highlights every instrument. The title track, for instance, is an easy nester that kicks off with a power-laden guitar intro and heavy guitar rhythm, immediately showcasing Gene Marchello’s aggressive playing. It is the perfect calling card for the band’s style and genre. Intricate leads and blazing solo work in the vein of White Lion’s Vito Bratta or early George Lynch, but with Gene’s own flair. His pitches and soloing are razor-sharp, his riffs heavy and melodic. Underneath it all is Miceli’s powerful drumming, driving the songs forward with energy. Hooks and choruses are the calling cards here.

,,Brown Eyes”, the album opener, is an instant earworm with its galloping riff and slick keyboard melody underwriting a singalong chorus that sneaks into your head immediately.

POWER

,,Tight Pants” delivers a full-on arena rock vibe straight out of the Van Halen school, complete with grande choir vocals and Gene slicing it with fuelled guitar runs. Following the spiced title track ,,First Love” arrives, with the band turning up the passion. The song’s dark, moody intro blossoms into one of the album’s strongest anthems. Keys raining into the mix, with the music teching up. Its chorus unforgettable and delivered with raw emotion, Gene crooning with intensity and pitching high.

You hear why ,,First Love” was the album’s single release, with the band blending muscular riffs with irresistible choruses and powerful hooks. Powering musically, the song pitches into a dazzling guitar solo. The craft of power ballads in maintained on ,,Love Begins Again”, that starts on a plaintive acoustic guitar before swelling into another heartfelt rock ballad. Gene’s voice carrying every word with sincerity as the song builds to a memorable climax.

AOR-METAL

In between the two, ,,What If” is a perfect blend of AOR hooks dropping and soaring vocals atop the wonderful guitar licks and bass growls. Then the album reverts full throttle with ,,Heavy Weight Champ of Love” and ,,Living for Number One”, both prime examples of hard-charging, chugging AOR-metal with enormous hooks and powerful melodic deliveries. Catchy, hook-laden tracks with the right tone at the centre of it, genuine and powerful.

Like ,,What If”, ,,She’s Magic” sparkles with bright synth stabs and key drizzles over dual-guitar harmonies, echoing the era’s finest rock staples. Throughout, Peppi Marchello’s songwriting and production keep everything tightly focused. There simply isn’t a weak moment or filler track on ‘Destiny’ and the production highlights the musical marksmanship with a transparent and clear overall output. Every track contributes to the album’s rich tapestry of melody and muscle, well balanced.

MUSICAL CRAFTMANSHIP

Tilting the odds, ,,Winners never Lose” is a prime example of appeal to boast any of the classic ’80s soundtracks. It is slick as Travolta’s hair in Grease, while it has the ability to nest inside your head, even though it is too cliché laden and melodically maxed-out in the bridge and chorus. Marchello is tap dancing through a minefield, keenly juggling the do’s and don’ts of predictability. It is so cliché-packed ‘n stacked it becomes its own melodic niche.

Perhaps the ultimate proof of Marchello’s musical craftsmanship is the closing piece, ,,Rock ‘N Roll Rumble”, an instrumental that could have been the band’s showstopper performing live. Here Gene unleashes everything, from insane tapping runs and dazzling hammer-ons, to whammy-bar acrobatics and lightning-fast arpeggios. It’s all locked in tight with Miceli’s and DiMichino’s solid groove. It’s a guitar showcase that serves the song, building suspense before exploding into a classic ’80s rocking finale. In the context of the album, it feels like the perfect curtain call, reminding the listener of the exceptional talent within this band.

THE VINYL ISSUE

Listening to ‘Destiny’ today, I am struck by how well it has aged. The production is clean and dynamic, with crisp cymbals, warm bass, and the characteristic powerful (rock-trio) drum sound. It makes me look forward to the vinyl issue enhancing the heavier dynamics and organics of the music. Gene Marchello’s lead vocals are full-voiced and earnest; he knows how to ride a melody and hit every note on the soaring refrains. His backing vocals and the harmonies with Gary’s keys fill out the choruses, giving several songs a true stadium feel. It is pompous and energetic, oozing confidence. Nick DiMichino’s bass lines are effective, locking the rhythm, while Gary Bivona adds that essential keyboard atmosphere. As mentioned, John Miceli’s drumming is muscular and tasteful, providing dynamic fills and rock-solid tempos. From any perspective, Marchello should have been bigger!

In retrospect, ‘Destiny’ sounds stronger than most releases of 1989, emphasizing the band’s enormous potential.

Recently, in 2024, Greek label Arkeyn Steel already released an expanded, remastered CD edition of ‘Destiny’ (with bonus alternate mixes from its promo tapes), reminding everyone of the music’s power.

Now High Roller Records will turn back the clock with the first vinyl pressing of this gem. The new LP edition, on heavyweight orange or black vinyl, reportedly includes all the original tracks, remastered for analogue warmth, plus the quirky demo mixes of ‘Destiny’ and other bonus material.

The artwork has been refreshed too, with the liner notes written by Warlord’s Giles Lavery, even detail stories like Gene’s audition for Ozzy Osbourne and memories of the Marchellos. It’s a package that any fan of melodic hard rock will want to treasure.

MARCHELLO – THE CONCLUSION

‘Destiny’ is more than just a time capsule from 1989. It’s a passionate, well-crafted album choke full of hard rocking music. Melody and might are in perfect balance. Hooks soar, guitar work dazzles, and the performances are top shelf on all accounts. Gene shining as a vocalist and one of rock’s most underrated shredders.

Track Highlights: Opener ,,Brown Eyes” hooks you instantly with a killer chorus. ,,Tight Pants” flaunts slick riffs and harmonies that scream Van Halen influence. The album’s title track smoulders over six minutes of dynamic verses and a singalong refrain, with chart topping accolades in its core. The heartfelt ,,Love Begins Again” proves Marchello creating tear jerking ballads, and the ripping instrumental ,,Rock ‘N Roll Rumble” showcases Gene’s virtuosity before the final fade. Throughout ‘Destiny’, every song is a statement of quality, making the album essential listening for fans of crafted, high-energy hard rock.

Spinning ‘Destiny’ today still brings the same thrill as the first time. The album is proof that, in the right hands, rock ‘n’ roll is an enduring adventure that keeps firing on all cylinders, turning up the gears.

Release date: 23 September 2025