GLORYDAZE Music review. IRONHORSE - CHANGE MY RELIGION (2007, INDEPENDENT) Charlie Wayne - vocals, acoustic guitars, electric guitars Matt Bradley - lead guitar, vocals Mike Bidwell - keyboards, electric guitars, vocals Geno Arce - bass, vocals Gaeteno Nicolosi - drums, percussion, vocals Background Followers of Ron Keel will recall his stint with country rockers Ironhorse. Back in 2004, Ron and IH released the 'Bring It On' album. An excellent set it must be said, where country themes inter-mingle with hard rock. Tracks such as 'Three Sheets To The Wind', 'American Thunder' and 'Half Past Goodbye' are album highlights. Well, three years on, these Ohio rockers are back, but Ron Keel is no longer, replaced by the energetic Charlie Wayne (Morrill). Charlie brings a solid port-folio with him. Black Knight, Hawk (with guitar supremo Doug Marks), Bullet Boys and a host of other L.A hair metal bands all boast Charlie's credentials. Charlie and Ron are also very good friends, and when Ron moved on to focus on other business opportunities, Charlie stepped up to the plate as his replacement. By doing so, the style of the band has become harder rockin' as a result. It's melodic, there are keyboards, there's a tinge of country, but mostly it's good earthy hard rock. The Songs Of the songs, three distinctive themes stand out. Hair metal tunes (even a couple of uptempo metal belters in the euro-metal vein..), a trio of lovely 80's flavored ballads, and the occasional country rock outburst this band are better remembered for. Let's attack the metal tunes first. 'Overkill' and 'Blinded' are so euro-metal the band should get a EC exemption and a badge of honor. Think Pretty Maids and Vengeance and you'll get the picture! OK now the ballads. There are three of them, and they are all brilliant. 'In His Shadow', the huge sounding piano ballad 'All That You Need' which is a cross of Keel and Warrant, and the percussive oriented (that means no drums) 'To See You', which could easily be a cowpoke song played under a moonlight sky out on the range! The pairing of 'Scarecrow' and 'Bow Legged Woman' easily slide into the country rock/blues groove a la Tora Tora and Tangier. Nice stuff chaps! The remaining tracks showcase Ironhorse's melodic tendencies. 'Another Day In Paradise' has an AOR feel thanks to the melodic riffs and cool keyboard layers from Mike Bidwell, so too the majestic sounding 'In Your Eyes' - one of the album highlights, also dropping hints of Warrant circa their 1989 era. In Summary The album is well spaced; thirteen tracks at just over 50 minutes, and a good variety of songs. There are no real weaknesses here, and with a few good listens under the belt, this could be become a regular contender on the weekly GLORY-DAZE playlist. One of the other notable things about 'Change My Religion' is the excellent production job courtesy of drummer Gaetano Nicolisi. Give the man a medal! Do yourself a favour.. check out this album, and while you're at it, track down a copy of 'Bring It On' to round out the Ironhorse story. Very cool band.. URL: www.ironhorseband.com Sponsor: Mike Bidwell and Ironhorse Track Listing: 01 On Fire 02 Change My Religion 03 In His Shadow 04 Another Day In Paradise 05 Scarecrow 06 Overkill 07 All That You Need 08 Should Of Known Better 09 In Your Eyes 10 Bow Legged Woman 11 Love And Squeez 12 Blinded 13 To See You