Resurrection Kings is a collaboration between former Dio guitarist Craig Goldy and vocalist Chas West who is known for his work with Lynch Mob, Foreigner and The Jason Bonham band. From a series of demos Goldy and West produced, Frontiers Records president Serafino Perugino was impressed with what they had created and asked the two musicians to come up with an album. The idea was to bring together a variety of talented musicians who had been with big bands during the 80s. Cue Sean McNabb from Dokken and one time Dio drummer Vinny Appice to form Resurrection kings.
There is certainly a great amount of iteration in this album, which is to be expected given its overall style but it still manages to retain a contemporary feel and outlook thanks to Alessandro Del Vecchio's eager production. Listening to the first few tracks you could be excused for thinking you were listening to a lost Whitesnake or Rainbow album. West's dramatic rock vocals certainly have an air of David Coverdale about them but are also embed with the vocal stamina of many of the genre's superstars. There can be little doubt that Chas West was born to be a rock singer. Goldy's guitar is quite simply a tour de force of hard rock. His synergy with former Dio band member Appice really comes through on this album too, particularly on the more gutsy tracks when it's almost as if the guitar is being used as a percussion counter attack to the dynamics of the music.
Despite the American bravado the album has a very European feel alternating between classic British rock and the elaborate production of modern Euro rock. Distant Prayer contains an atmospheric and sombre melody coupled with a rousing chorus and compulsory power rock harmonies. Living Out Loud goes for more of a bluesy rock feel with the lazy slurring guitar from Goldy and plenty of whammy bar. Wash Away could have come straight off any 80s rock album and encompasses all the elements of an arena rock track. Who Do You Run To? takes things up a notch with and aggressive head-banging intro. West's vocals are a cri de coeur which are matched by the musical despair which goes on behind him. This bitter, scorned lover vibe continues with the valiant, Had Enough, later in the album.
As the album continues, expect more of the same power chords and belting vocals along with a token ballad Never Can Say Goodbye and standard blues rock track Path Of Love, which contains some nice guitar touches from Goldy.
While this album only really offers a modern spin on a thirty-year-old formula, it's executed well, if a tad repetitive in places. The best tracks are definitely positioned in the earlier part of the record but this is an album aimed purely at ardent classic rock fans.