Fighter V are back with a new album! well sort of… It has certainly been a while for the band formed in 2019 in Hergiswil, Switzerland who released their classic debut ‘Fighter’ (think Journey, post-1987 Whitesnake and Bon Jovi) back in October 2019 just as we plunged into the pandemic. If that timing wasn’t bad enough whilst most of us were still locked down in one form or another we lost the wonderful voice of frontman Dave Niederberger in 2021 due to vocal problems. I interviewed Dave at the time of that first release and not only was he a wonderful interview, I truly believe that in time he would have been seen as one of the great voices of the scene.
Sadly Dave’s leaving the band led to the departures of guitarist Marco Troxler and bassist Luca Troxler. That left only Felix Commerell (keyboards) and Lucien Egloff (drums) to continue the band with Emmo Acar as new vocalist and kudos to them for keeping the name alive . In September 2021 when we were all free to live our lives again Andreas Grob was announced as the new guitarist and Roman Stalder new man on the four string. Grob left in less than 2 years and was replaced on guitar in 2022 by Thomy Gunn. What we essentially have then is pretty much a new band and that is evident when you dig in.
As the press release says this is still a killer record if a little different in sound to the debut: “With international success on the released singles “Eye To Eye”, “Heart Of The Young”, and “Power” from the new album “Heart Of The Young”, the band promises top-notch Melodic Rock that will make hearts beat faster.” So whilst Dave and co aren’t onboard (Dave has a great new band to check out – ‘Dave and the Dudes’) there are still big riffs, great keys and some cool vocals that bring to mind both giants like Bon Jovi and latter day Whitesnake, but also for me at lest bands like countrymen Gotthard.
The opening track ‘Eye To Eye’ bubbles in on a wave of synth before the guitars crack like a whip and the vocals hit. It’s great Melodic Rock with that soaring chorus but if I have to be honest I miss do Dave. No disrespect intended but I guess that’s the issue a lot of bands have who release great debuts then change personnel – the comparison is still so close.
I did wonder if the title track was a tip of the hat to Winger and whilst there are some shared DNA, I’m guessing not really. The title track is really what the Mark II incarnation is about – a song filled with energy and plenty of passion. If you like the new wave of European Melodic Rock then the songs are solid enough and production by Thomas “Plec” Johansson is nice and glossy. The deeper you dig though the more you realise that the older comparisons are less accurate than the Nestor and Gotthard ones.
My highlights would have to be the strut of ‘How Long’ – a sort of Van Hagar ditty that treads the middle path before a ‘Dreams-like’ chorus. Then there’s the rather nice and retro ‘Speed Demon’ that is just great fun; and you can add to that the similarly retro ‘Stepped On A Landmine’ rocks nicely. Those last two I’d love to hear more of as the Bluesy edge really works.
My favourite though might just be ‘Power’ featuring Rockpit favourite John Diva (John Diva and the Rockets of Love) it’s a complete break really from the rest here and a foot to the floor classic! I love it!
The rest is pretty solid too. ‘Bringing It Back’ is a better than average ballad with a rather cool solo and whilst a little ponderous ‘Miracle Heart’ does a decent job of 80’s AOR. Some I’m sure will also love ‘I’m There’ the real big ballad that showcases Emmo Acar’s vocal and has a great sax break. Even closer ‘Radio Tokyo Intro/Radio Tokyo’ which adds a radio-friendly sheen is weel worth a check in.
If I’m completely honest I don’t love this as much as the debut but for a band that has lost its vocalist and guitarist after their debut this isn’t half bad.
There’s plenty to like here, to be sure, and with an extensive European tour as special guest of the legendary Axel Rudi Pell there’s a great chance to see how this all translates live.
7/10
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Fighter V – Tour dates
24.08.24 – Riverside Festival / Aarburg CH
13.09.24 – Piccadilly / Brugg CH
14.09.24 – Rock The Rhy Festival / Dörflingen CH
21.09.24 – Rocki Docki / Flums CH
06.10.24 – Zeche / Bochum DE
08.10.24 – Backstage / München DE
09.10.24 – Komplex / Zürich CH
10.10.24 – Milchwerk / Radolfzell DE
11.10.24 – Musikhalle / Markneukirchen DE
13.10.24 – Szene / Wien AT
14.10.24 – Barba Negra / Budapest HU
16.10.24 – Garage / Saarbrücken DE
18.10.24 – Eventzentrum / Geiselwind DE
19.10.24 – Hyde Park / Osnabrück DE
20.10.24 – Neue Stadthalle / Langen DE
21.10.24 – Huxleys / Berlin DE
22.10.24 – Fabrik / Hamburg DE
24.10.24 – Fryshuset Klubben / Stockholm SE
25.10.24 – Brewhouse / Goteborg SE
26.10.24 – Slagthuset / Malmö SE
28.10.24 – Zeche / Bochum DE
29.11.24 – Konzerthaus Schüür / Luzern CH
10.01.25 – Musigburg / Aarburg CH
31.01.25 – Hardrock Lounge / Dielsdorf CH
02.02.25 – Huere Siech Festival / Liestal CH
01.03.25 – Böröm Pöm Pöm / Oberentfelden CH
