Ex-HELLOWEEN frontman Michael Kiske returns with the very melodic AOR
driven PLACE VENDOME. As with anything Kiske touches, this mans pipes
are second to none, and clearly he is in his own element with this
project. Opening with the super catchy anthem ‘Cross The Line’, Kiske
demonstrates the shear power and range of his voice (remember
Helloween’s “Eagle Fly Free”??). This man can hit notes that Mariah
Carey only dreams about. His clearity and delivery are superb and the
song craft on this disc are terrific. ‘I Will Be Waiting’ could easily
be on Journey’s greatest hits, along with ‘Heaven’s Door’, and the
title track ‘Place Vendome’ (another sing-along anthem). What strikes
me is the mix between some of Kiske’s former projects/bands such as
Helloween and solo outings, with the radio-friendly material that could
easily find a place on modern radio here in the States. My only gripe –
A few too many ballads, and not enough tracks like ‘Cross The Line’,
but hey, it’s the first album of what Kiske describes as his ‘new
band’. Let’s hope the second one is half as good as this.
