CD review ALTA REIGN ‘Mother’s Day’

Alta Reign is the new project of an old acquaintance. Jeff Plate, drummer for TSO and well known from his time with Savatage, launched with Alta Reign a new band that includes next to Plate also TSO keyboard player Jane Mangini, vocalist & guitarist Tommy Cook, vocalist & guitarist Collin Holloway, as well as bassist Kevin McCarthy and keyboarder/guitarist Zach Hamilton.

Alta Reign kicks off the new year 2021 with a debut album, ‘Mother’s Day’. Now Mother’s Day is usually later in the year, but this early greeting can also impress.
There are twelve songs on ‘Mother’s Day’, two of them with the support of well-known guitarists. Joel Hoekstra supports on ‘Mother’s Day’, the title track, while none other than Chris Caffery can be listened to on ‘Rise’.

Musically, Alta Reign operate in the fields of melodic metal, which sometimes reminds me of bands like Dokken (‘Never Say Never’ and ‘Shine’). Melodies and catchy choruses can be found in large quantity on ‘Mother’s Day’. The good thing is, that with all the built in melodies, the guitars never come up short. Crispy riffs and well executed solos are present throughout, which makes the whole record well worth listening to. Outstanding is the already mentioned title track with its furious beginning with screaming guitars. After such a start, the song doesn’t drop and evolves instead into a powerful melodic rocker that you shouldn’t miss.

If you like bands like Dokken, Savatage and also TSO you should risk an ear here. It could be worth it 😉