Platens are one of Dario Grillo’s projects. He is a talented singer, songwriter and musician born in Palermo, Italy. As well as performing in bands such as Squeezy Boyz, he also studied singing and improved his skills with Elizabeth Sabine [singing-master of Axl Rose, Dave Mustaine, Ron Keel]. In 1998 he joined Thy Majestie as lead singer and appeared on ‘The Lasting Power’ (2000), ‘Hastings 1066’ (2002) and the ‘Echoes of War’ EP (2003). Dario left Thy Majestie in October 2003 in order to dedicate all his energies to Platens. The debut album ‘Between Two Horizons’ was released in 2004 and features a driving melodic hard rock approach very close to the sound of such bands as Fair Warning, Terra Nova and Grand Illusion.
Between 2005 and 2014 Dario worked with many Italian talented singers and musicians like Katia Miceli (X-Factor 2009 and winner of ‘Cantagiro 2008’, one of the most important Italian festivals), Gianni Bella, Giuseppe Finocchiaro, Lorencè Brahem, Pio Fanale, Riccardo Favara and he took part to some international musical projects (Charming Grace, Caravellus). He also formed Violet Sun with his brother Alex on drums and the Sicilian singer, Alessandra Amata on lead vocals and piano. It was a symphonic power metal band and the debut album ‘Loneliness In Supremacy’ was released in 2010.
Ten years on there is a brand new album form Platens called ‘Out of the World’. The line-up is now Dario Grillo (vocals, guitars and keyboards), Riccardo Barbiera (drums), Domiziano Mendolia (bass), Gabriels – (Hammond & synth). The album features elements of progressive and symphonic rock, AOR and melodic rock and was released by MelodicRock Records in August 2014.
On this album the progressive rock emotional rollercoaster is melded with classic AOR musical overtures. With ‘Running’ starting off the proceedings as they race forward and have no regrets from the past. “Everyday I walk / I run to face my destiny / What I am is what I always wanted to be”. In contrast to this, ‘Time Will Tell’ shows sentimentality for the past as they look back at a place with happy romantic associations. The tempo increases with blistering guitar on ‘You Won’t Bring Me Down’ with its histrionics as vocals are traded back and forth.
The pace slows for the first ballad in ‘Ask Yourself’ as it leaves space for the keyboards to come to the fore before building to a guitar crescendo. There are several changes in pace through ‘I Still Search For You’ with its muscular force and pounding drums. This is followed by the tenderness of ‘Sometimes I Miss You’ with its synths and saxophone. There is the moody ‘Last Final Time’ with its flurry of guitars. “I’ve dug into my deepest dreams / To meet the King’s embrace / the Lamb dying on the cross / only to realise our eternal plan”.
There is a change in style as ‘Don’t Leave Me Alone’ takes a left turn into blues rock. It makes use of Hammond organ and smoking riffs as it romps along. Also ‘Deep In My Heart’ utilizes this Americana in balladic form. There is an excellent cover of ‘No Easy Way Out’ from the Rocky IV movie soundtrack. Finally, there is the heartfelt tug of ‘Save Me’ with its soaring guitar solo.
The production is great and the melodies are given space to breathe. This should appeal to all fans of melodic rock and would make a great gift for the special person in your life.
Rating: 8/10
Reviewed by Peter John Willoughby
Tracks:
01. Running
02. Time Will Tell
03. You Won’t Bring Me Down
04. Ask Yourself
05. I Still Search For You
06. Sometimes I Miss You
07. Last Final Time
08. Don’t Leave Me Alone
09. Deep In My Heart
10. No Easy Way Out [Robert Tepper cover]
11. Save Me
Line-up:
Dario Grillo – Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Gabriels – Hammond, Synth
Domiziano Mendolia – Bass
Riccardo Barbiera – Drums
Special Guests:
Horace Fontes guitar solo in “No Easy Way Out”
Roberto Schoolboy: Saxophone on “Sometimes I Miss You” and “Deep In My Heart”
Record Label: Melodic Rock Records, Aug. 2014
Buy the album here:
Holland: First Paradox
Norway: Nordic Mission
‘Time will tell’
[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/melodicrock/platens-time-will-tell-mrr023[/soundcloud]
‘No easy way out’ [Robert Tepper cover]
[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/melodicrock/platens-no-easy-way-out-robert-tepper-cover[/soundcloud]