Guitarist Joel Hoekstra is widely recognized for his work with Trans-Siberian Orchestra, as well as for collaborations with Whitesnake and Revolution Saints. Beyond these high-profile projects, Hoekstra has also established a formidable solo career under the banner Joel Hoekstra’s 13.
The project’s debut album, “Dying to Live”, was released in 2015. The latest studio effort, “From the Fade”, marks the fourth full-length release from Hoekstra and his bandmates. Joining him on this record are vocalist Girish Pradhan, drummer Vinny Appice, bassist Tony Franklin, keyboardist Derek Sherinian, and vocalist Jeff Scott Soto. Together, they deliver a collection of finely crafted hard rock songs that showcase both musical sophistication and a strong melodic sensibility.
Many of the riffs forming the backbone of the album’s ten tracks were written while Hoekstra was touring with Accept in 2024. That experience lends the material a tougher edge, clearly recognizable on the opener “You Can Give” and the driving “Start to Fight.”
Despite this added grit, Joel Hoekstra’s 13 retain the grooving hard rock spirit that defined their earlier releases. Melodic hard rock remains at the core—modern, vibrant, and dynamic. “The Fall” exemplifies this approach with its powerful verse and hook-laden chorus, instantly engaging the listener. The track also underscores the band’s refusal to settle for standardized songwriting; instead, each composition is imbued with finesse. That attention to detail is equally present on the pulsating “Misunderstood”, which blends a contemporary sound with a subtle ’80s charm.
“All I’d Do” provides additional space for Sherinian’s outstanding keyboard work, even though “From the Fade” is fundamentally a riff-driven, guitar-focused album. The song stands out as a pulsating rock anthem where rhythm and melody are perfectly balanced. “The End to Me” reveals another side of the band, slowing the pace and casting a darker atmosphere, before the captivating groove returns on “Quite the Ride.”
With “From the Fade”, Joel Hoekstra’s 13 seamlessly pick up where they left off on “Crash of Life”. While drawing inspiration from the heyday of melodic hard rock, Hoekstra infuses the album with a contemporary edge—an energy that vividly bridges past and present.
Tracklist:
- You Can Give
- The Fall
- Lifeline
- Will You Remember Me
- Misunderstood
- Start to Fight
- All I’d Do
- Free To Be
- The End of Me
- Quite The Ride
Label: Frontiers Music
Genre: Melodic Hard Rock
Release Date EU: February 27th, 2026
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