Hardline

HARDLINE - Heart, Mind And Soul
Album Reviews

HARDLINE – Heart, Mind And Soul

July 27, 2021 George Dionne

The Backstory Hardline’s 1992 release Double Eclipse might have just been the pinnacle of Hard Rock/AOR music. Two New York brothers, Joey & Johnny Gioeli, teamed up with Bad English/Journey veterans Neal Schon and Deen Catronovo, and David Lee Roth/Alice Cooper bassist Todd Jensen to create a masterpiece that would live in infamy forever. The only problem was 1992 was a bit too late for their sound. After a seven year exile, the band was resurrected in 1999. Vocalist Johnny Gioeli is the only original member of Hardline remaining, but his current lineup may just be on par with the first. 2019’s Life and 2020’s Live Life display a band firing on all cylinders. Can Hardline’s 2021 release Heart, Mind And Soul keep the momentum going? [Watch our Johnny Gioeli interview HERE] The Album Hardline kicks things off with lots of bombastic energy on the opening track “Fuel to the Fire.” “Surrender” is a call-to-arms for those down and discouraged with themselves. Gioeli is delivering a melodic pep talk about never giving up. Bassist Anna Portalupi and drummer Marco Di Salvia are tight in the pocket for this one. The piano-like keyboards of Alessandro Del Vecchio are front and center on the up tempo ballad “If I Could I Would.” “Like That” is accented by the clean acoustic strums of Mario Percudani. He busts out his electric axe to deliver the right emotion to the solo section. Gioeli is smooth and powerful in his delivery. Double-kick drums lead the charge on “Waiting for Your Fall,” while Gioeli once again inspires the listener to not give in to your retractors. Love is a splendid and crazy thing, and according to Hardline, it’s also “The Curse.” On the flip side, love breaks down and that’s what the mid-tempo rocker “Heartless delves into. …READ MORE

Johnny Gioeli Hardline
Interviews

JOHNNY GIOELI (HARDLINE): “I’m A Little Afraid To Play In America… I Don’t Know If I’d Put 10 People In Starbucks”

June 25, 2021 George Dionne

Triple Eclipse If you have yet to lay ears on Hardline’s 1992 release Double Eclipse, it is a Hard Rock masterpiece. The songs, the vocal melodies, the high production values, and even the band members themselves were the best of the best. Journey’s Neal Schon and Deen Castronovo, Paul Rogers/David Lee Roth/Alice Cooper bassist Todd Jensen, and two up-and-coming New York musicians Joey & Johnny Gioeli. The only thing that was working against Hardline was the year 1992. We all know where Hard Rock and Metal went from there. Frontiers helped resurrect Hardline in the years that followed, with vocalist Johnny Gioeli at the helm. Hardline has released 5 albums under the Frontiers banner. As a fan of the group, their most focused, well-written, and overall enjoyable albums have be released in the last three years; 2019’s Life, 2020’s Live Life, and the soon to be released 2021 album Heart, Mind, and Soul. For a band who’s music is constantly compared to Double Eclipse, Heart, Mind, and Soul [review] has all the makings to… um, eclipse that release. I had the chance to speak with Johnny Gioeli ahead of the album’s release. Highlights Include Discussion of the new Hardline album Heart, Mind, and Soul Being responsible with his lyrics The chemistry the current band has together Hardline’s touring schedule Juggling various music projects Will there be a follow up to his 2018 solo album One Voice? Has Johnny tried reuniting the Double Eclipse lineup for at least one show? Memories of recording and touring on Double Eclipse Hardline is: Johnny Gioeli – Vocals Alessandro Del Vecchio – Keyboards Mario Percudani – Guitars Anna Portalupi – Bass Marco Di Salvia – Drums  

HARDLINE - Live At The Gods 2002
Album Reviews

HARDLINE – Live At The Gods 2002

November 10, 2003 Guest Writer

“Sounds like super shit,” yells Hardline singer Johnny Gioeli on their Live at the Gods Festival 2002 CD/DVD. “How we doing? Can you hear this shit, cuz it sounds like fuckin’ shit up here!” This may not be the best way to promote your product or stir up a live crowd, but Hardline fixes whatever was broken and put on a helluva show, regardless of their public self-hatred. Hardline took about 10 years between albums, but are back together (sans Neal Schon) for now, and sound just the same as they always did. If you haven’t heard them, it’s no frills hard rock, and they do it as well as anyone. Guitarist Josh Ramos replaces Schon — no complaints here. Ramos is adept, and a good fit for the band. You are going to remember Hardline for their ’80s-sounding song “Hot Cherie,” up there with Winger’s “Madelaine” for best chick named tune. Actually, “Hot Cherie” is one of the best hard rock songs you’ll ever hear, in the studio or live. Singer Gioeli has a strong delivery, both bluesy and passionate. He’s a talent behind the mic. He also swears quite a bit here, and you can tell the crowd isn’t sure what to make of a guy wearing a plain black t-shirt, with short-cropped hair and insanely intense eyeballs screaming at them. His energy makes you think Slayer’s Reign in Blood is up next, but instead, it’s their own “Life’s a Bitch.” When you watch the DVD, the sad part is that the crowd really isn’t as in to the show as they could be. Hardline deserves better, but if you stay away for so long, especially with a body of work encompassing two releases, you don’t give the crowd a lot to work with. “In the Hands of Time,” …READ MORE

HARDLINE - II
Album Reviews

HARDLINE – II

September 23, 2002 Frode Johnsrud

Without Neal Schon as a permanent member, I didn’t expect II to give me a buzz, and sadly after a lot of spins in my CD player, it still sounds mediocre. Sure there are some highlights, “Hold me down,” “Your eyes” and the glorious pop of “Only one night,” but as an album, it’s weak with too many fillers. Sorry. Highlights: Only a night, Hold me down, Your eyes.