I remember buying the first ‘Vandenberg’ album way back in the early 80’s and I can recall that it must have been 1982 because that was the year for some unknown reason I bought cassette tapes rather than good old vinyl. I must admit it was pretty good and I did buy ‘Heading For a Storm’ a year later thankfully on vinyl. I’ve no idea why I didn’t get 1985’s ‘Alibi’ a couple of years later. In the intervening years of course there’s been some but not enough from Mr V! Whitesnake of course, and Moonkings more recently, though my favourite was the wonderfully quirky Manic Eden.
I’ve no idea why after 35 years and a couple of great Moonkings albums we’re back full circle to Vandenberg but hey its new music! Back in In January this year Vandenberg announced that the Vandenberg band would ride again with an all new line-up and new album featuring former Rainbow vocalist Ronnie Romero on vocals, Rudy Sarzo on bass and Brian Tichy on drums. Its surprising therefore to read that only Ronnie Romero has made the final line-up with Sarzo and Tichy making way for Randy Van Der Elsen and Koen Herfst. (Both Sarzo and Tichy are credited only with a vague ‘special guest appearances’ mention).
Back in the day Vandenberg for me were musically what Whitesnake turned into a few years later, albeit in a more polished fashion on ‘1987’ , the roots were the same – Rainbow style Hard Rock, great guitar and memorable choruses, but ‘Snake updated it for a more shall we say image-conscious age with plenty of flash and teeth and hair, but with the chops to back it all up.
On ‘2020’ Vandenberg proves that he’s still got it with 9 new tracks plus a reworking of their only real almost hit ‘Burning Heart’ which charted at no. 39 for a week in the US. It makes you wonder what would have happened if Vandenberg had hit the big time – would Whitesnake have been the same?
Anyway no point wondering is there? What we have here is a very good Hard Rock record in a classic mould that with Ronnie Romero on board can’t help you thinking about Rainbow, after all he is their latest vocalist. On opener ‘Shadows of the Night’ he proves that all is good in the world of Vandenberg as they belt out a pacey opener with a huge chorus. Surprisingly perhaps they then take the foot off the pedal, even more surprisingly its on a song called ‘Freight Train’ its a great song though and sports a great solo. ‘Hell or High Water’ though is something else, plenty of bounce and a vocal that screams Dio! All I can say is ‘Wow!’ as Vandenberg’s guitar work takes it to another level.
The mid-tempo ‘Let it Rain’ that follows is a nice and refreshing slice of melodic rock but in truth not a patch on what has come before; whilst ‘Ride Like the Wind’ (that oft-used Rock title) is another high point with a lovely cascading solo and wonderful warm sound.
Deeper in ‘Shout’ adds a little swagger and a Dio meets Whitesnake vibe; whilst ‘Shitstorm’ just has you beaming! Starting out gently as it does before the guitar kicks in and does the business in a way that makes you think of Whitesnake at their commercial peak. ‘Light Up the Sky’ that follows could have made any late 80’s Whitesnake record but that’s quickly topped by the re-work that is ‘Burning Heart 2020’ that of course some will love and some (who love the original) will hate. In truth it was never one of my favourite Vandenberg songs, being a ballad, but it is now. It hits the spot nicely.
And then far too soon closing track ‘Skyfall’ builds slowly and then explodes, it’s a great way to close what in truth is a seriously good record.
Covid allowing the band is set to hit the UK in November/December 2020. If only we weren’t locked down in Australia. With international flights cancelled it’s a long walk…
8.5/10
TRACKLIST
Shadows Of The Night
Freight Train
Hell And High Water
Let It Rain
Ride Like The Wind
Shout
Shitstorm
Light Up The Sky
Burning Heart 2020
Skyfall
