FLAMEDOWN - Flamedown (2011)

Charlie Giardina is a well known Argentinian session musician, basically bass player and vocalist. Established in UK since the beginning of the century, he has played on many international recordings as Tor Tolle's Northern Light or Watchmen and worked with Bruce Kulick.

Together with his brother (musician as well) formed Hardway in 2001, an AOR project which recorded 2 critically acclaimed demos with collaboration from master Mark Spiro among others.

Giardina also is part of Eric Martin's stable back-up band when he visits South America every year.



In 2009, Giardina joined forces with Javier Viñas (guitar) and Emiliano Giménez (drums, percussion): FLAMEDOWN was born. They started to work on new songs and pre-producing the new material, and at the end of 2010 Flamedown released their first 4-track EP as a promo, playing several gigs in South America.

Now, their full length self-titled debut see the light of day.



"Flamedown" is a pure AOR / Westcoast album in the best TOTO, Journey and Mr. Mister tradition.

Recorded in Buenos Aires and on many USA studios, "Flamedown" contains ten songs including the participation of top international session players like Guy Pratt (Gary Moore, Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, 3rd Matinee), Bruce Gaitsch (King of Hearts, Peter Cetera, Chicago), Michael Thompson (Michael Bolton, Richard Marx), Ty Tabor (King's X), Peppy Castro (Balance, Paul Stanley, Joan Jett), CJ Vanston (Steve Lukather, King of Hearts, Eric Martin) and Jeff Babko (Steve Lukather Band, Simon Phillips, Michael Landau).



"Flamedown" is a true AOR / Westcoast delight to the ears.

Opener "Weight Of The World" has a mid-tempo pace, with subtle swirling vintage keyboards and a Michael Thompson Band vibe. Great rhythm guitars, fat bass line and a restrained but melodic guitar solo. Giardina has a good voice with no accent at all, lyrics are perfectly written. Maybe his vocal timbre or color isn't my favorite for this genre, but the man knows how to sing AOR, with all the typical inflections and smoothness.

From the first percussion notes, "Rivers Running Deep" is absolutely TOTO, high on melody with soaring vocals complementing the music. This track has a very nice catchy chorus with some Journey hints and beautiful orchestration.

"Mystic Kind" is another slow and climatic tune beautifully arranged, followed by the awesome AOR ballad "Someday I", full of class and style. A definitive highlight.

The overall upbeat sound conjured on "Losin' Ground" is very much like earlier TOTO, complete with a Lukather-esque guitar solo and David Paich-like keyboards. An AOR stunner of the most extreme proportions which also reminds me some Tommy Denander works.



"No One" mixes classic AOR with smooth Westcoast on equal proportions. The pre-chorus / chorus is terrific, you can't get out of its catchiness. One of the best arranged and performed tracks of the album.

"Voices" is another winner. This climatic AOR has Mark Spiro's style written all over it. Not strange as Giardina worked with Mark back in the Hardway days. Elegant track as a tie & jacket evening.

On "Freedom Bound" the Journey influence is clear in the backbone of the song, of course, developed in the Flamedown style, more lightweight yet melodic.

TOTO is this band's main influence, who can deny that? Well, they end the disc in a pure Lukather and Co. vein. "Save Me" fundamentally focuses on great instrumental arrangements featuring superb keyboards parts, round bass lines and elaborated guitars, even the vocals work as another instrument. Good one.





"Flamedown" is a more than a welcomed band into the AOR universe.

From Argentina, a country where AOR music is a 'strange in a strange land", these guys have delivered a classy melodic album which shows that this fantastic genre has no boundaries.

Great songwriting and musicianship with the help by some of the greats of the L.A. session scene, the music on offer here is clear cut amazing. Production could be better but this is a minor point, this indie release will be in my top-ten this year.

Support this AOR band, "Flamedown" is a labour of love by stupendous musicians, truly fans of the genre. Worth every penny.

Highly Recommended





01 - Weight Of The World

02 - Rivers Running Deep

03 - Mystic Kind

04 - Someday I

05 - Losin' Ground

06 - No One

07 - Time Never Waits

08 - Voices

09 - Freedom Bound

10 - Save Me





Carlie Giardina - Bass, Lead Vocals, Programming

Javier Viñas - Guitar

Emiliano Giménez - Drums, Percussion



Guy Pratt (Gary Moore, Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, 3rd Matinee) - Bass

Bruce Gaitsch (King of Hearts, Peter Cetera, Chicago) - Guitars

Michael Thompson (Michael Bolton, Richard Marx) - Guitars

Ty Tabor (King's X) - Guitars

Peppy Castro (Balance, Paul Stanley, Joan Jett) - Vocals

CJ Vanston (Steve Lukather, King of Hearts, Eric Martin) - Keyboards

Jeff Babko (S. Lukather Band, Simon Phillips, Michael Landau) - Synths









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Support this Band:

www.amazon.com/Flamedown/dp/B005FQ9YOW

www.myspace.com/flamedownband

www.facebook.com/pages/Flamedown/165345776841888







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