Time Signature Power of music...

Genre: melodic hard rock

I haven't really listened to anything by Michael Kiske since he was in Helloween. Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part 1 and Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part 2 are among my all time favorite albums, and Michael Kiske's phenomenal vocals plays no small part in this. So, obviously I was quite excited to hear Thunder in the Distance by Place Vendome – a melodic hard rock project featuring Michael Kiske and Dennis Ward.

Thunder in the Distance is the band's third album, and, although it obviously sounds nothing like Helloween (why should it?), I was quite positvely surprised. Musically, we are dealing with pretty straightforward melodic hard rock. There is a good dose of 80s AOR on the album, combined with a metallic edge and loads of catchiness. The obligatory keyboards are there, and sometimes it sounds like they have deliberately been given a a retro 80s sound – as in the intro of the title track. The melodic hooklines are delivered impressively by Michael Kiske's soaring voice.

Kiske's singing is impressive, but there are plenty of times where I can hardly recognize his voice. It has a darker timbre to it than in the Helloween days, and he make more use of vibrato, but at the same time his performance is generally more laxed. Now, it is not because I want to compare and evaluate Vendome Place to Helloween, but, given that I have not really listened to any of Kiske's post-Helloween projects, I obviously have not observed the development of his singing style. Anyway, his voice perfectly carries the vocal melodies, and is an integral part of Vendome Place's sound.

Thunder in the Distance is characterized by a clean and pristine sound as well as impeccable musicianship across the board. The listener is treated primarily to uplifting AOR-driven hard rock, but there are darker and more melancholic elements as well. If you like quality melodc hard rock with AOR elements and a metallic edge – and outstanding vocals – then you should definitely check out this album.

(review originally posted at seaoftranquility.org)

Stephen It's been a while since Frontiers started to waking up the rock genre from the 80s and in 2004, owner Serafino Perugino got an ambition to build a project composed of highly-skilled and well-respected veteran musicians with a set of incredibly well-crafted songs, and when he found out that ex-Helloween singer, Michael Kiske, claimed that he's interested to sing in a hard rock band, he paired him with Dennis Ward and guys from Pink Cream 69 to form Place Vendome.

Place Vendome combined the melodic heavy metal edge with the sweetness of AOR music, and when it blends with Kiske's enthralling voice, the band surely delivered something magical, especially to both metal and rock fans. Kicking off with a blasting opener, "Cross The Line", this track alone will put you in awe with an intense chorus and it promised a breathtaking wonderful journey ahead. "I Will Be Waiting" and title track are melodic rock gems with unforgettable catchy chorus that will make you humming for weeks. Another vocal highlight is on a dark haunting ballad, "The Setting Sun" and spine-chilling midtempo tune, "Too Late". "Heaven's Door", "Right Here", and "Magic Carpet" are enjoyable as well and probably only "I Will Be Gone" is the weakest track here.

The objective of creating a sensational release in 2005 had been fulfilled and Place Vendome definitely a winner of its genre. The production value is rewarding, the musicianship is top notch, and Kiske is in his brilliant form. The songs compositions are incredible and that's always the most important factor of a great album. I hardly can find any flaw on this disc so there's no reason not to give this jewel a solid five stars.

ovidiu From the beginning I want to say that I am a huge fan of MICHAEL KISKE since the HELLOWEEN period!He is a fantastic vocalist,a real singer with a heavenly voice and I was so sad seeing him dissapering,wasting his talent in obscure projects after the glorious HELLOWEEN period...projects like SUPARED or his solo ones are really weak...but now he strikes back with a sensational melodic rock project called PLACE VENDOME thankks to FRONTIERS RECORDS and some wise guys there!!I choosed this first debut album,because it is really fabulous and because it seems to me more inspired then the second one STREETS OF FIRE,which isn't bad at all,but doesn't has the spark of genius that this first album has!I was really impressed to discover Mr Kiske in a totally different vocal register and a new musical direction!The album has something magical-a true majestic voice MICHAEL KISKE and some very competent musicians behind-basically the PINK CREAM 69 instrumentists line up!!!So,a great pedigree plus a fantastic production -DENNIS WARD style-a refference already... and pure melodic metal jewels,sensationally performad by Kiske,which seems to be very ok in this register!Here he puts in evidece all his huge talent,from power songs,passing by midtempo ones with catchy themes and some ballads where he sings like an angel!It's soo rare to have an album without any weak song...but this PLACE VENDOME one does it at 100 %!Yes,it's unbelievely strong-both componistic and from the musicianship point of view!Great balance between the songs and catchy compositions in the style of PINK CREAM 69,STARBREAKER,LAST TRIBE,JOURNEY...pure AOR feast which will plenty satisfy even the most pretentious melodic metal fans!!!Honestly one of the strongest melodic metal albums ever!!!5 STARS for eternity!