A 5-year recording gap is a long time for all the fans of Jack Starr and Burning Starr; especially given the fact that since the band’s name resurrection back in 2009, we have only be treated with great records. But the pandemic didn’t help so as they say…better late than never! “Souls of the Innocent” is not only the brand new album by Burning Starr but it also marks two really important landmarks for the band: the first one is the change of a record label and the second one the change of a singer. Exit Todd Michael Hall, Enter Alexx Panza. I gotta be honest with you…I am a huge fan of Todd’s voice and I was sad to see him go. Yet the split was amicable and I couldn’t wait to hear what Alexx Panza had in store for us. And we weren’t disappointed…
“Souls of the Innocent” picks up really from where “Stand Your Ground” stopped and naturally includes all the familiar epic/power elements that were so evidently displayed on “Defiance” and “Land of the Dead”. From my perspective, the main difference with its predecessor is that “Souls of the Innocent” is more direct and catchy without those complex musical passages that were so predominant on “Stand Your Ground”. It also portrays a more live feeling and that’s a good thing, for sure. In addition, Panza’s voice suits perfectly with the overall atmosphere of the songs that were penned by Starr and Meloni. I truly believe that the guys have made the right choice with this guy although only time will tell.
Most definitely the true highlights of the record are the title track, the single “I Am The Sinner” and “When Evil Calls” (a song that is dated from the “Stand Your Ground” sessions and features the mighty Todd Michael Hall behind the mic). All in all, “Souls of the Innocent” will be on my Top-10 list of the best albums of 2022. Congrats!
Highlight: Fingers crossed for a European Tour…
