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HOUSE OF LORDS
Saints And Sinners

Frontiers (2022)
Rating: 9/10

Formed way back in 1987 by former Angel keyboard player Gregg Giuffria, House Of Lords has become a wondrously melodious heavy rock outfit that has warmed my ears for decades. Saints And Sinners is the 13th release from this incredible American band which now boasts a line-up of James Christian (vocals and guitar) – the only guy who was there from the start – Jimi Bell (guitar), Mark Mangold (keyboards) and Johan Koleberg (drums).

As expected, this new outing is another sumptuous outing full of the sort of hallmarks which has made the band such a joy to experience; rich choruses, warm keyboard fluctuations, evocative yet airy axe work, solid percussion, driving bass, and heaviness required when needed. The end result is a sweet, sugary and often cosy and comforting record of the highest order that is fiery in its heart n’ soul and instantly accessible.

House Of Lords are accomplished technically too, with slight subtle shifts and clever intricacies. It’s all here as the driving title track springboards into the ear canal and delivers a galloping drum and soaring, powerhouse chorus. ‘House Of the Lord’ has dashes of Europe, mainly in its keyboard work, but damn, what a brace of songs to kick-start this passionate, glowing record.

And the class acts just flow like rivers of wine, drenching the soul in cascading warmth and positivity. ‘Take It All’ is a simmering and theatrical power ballad of sorts where Christian comes alive with his vocals as the keys trickle to the thud of the drum.

Elsewhere there are other subtle nuances too, but there are some real rockers on show as well. ‘Roll Like Thunder’ has a Def Leppard feel yet it sports extra chugging, while ‘Takin’ My Heart Back’ begins in Led Zeppelin-like fashion, striking with its keyboards.

‘Razzle Dazzle’ is arguably the most thunderous track on offer, driving with intensity and oomph edging again towards a bluesy Zeppelin strike and strut. And there’s no letting up from the pizazz as ‘Road Warrior’ fizzes as a mid-tempo rocker, ‘Mistress Of The Dark’ has an 80s nostalgia about it – almost a marrying of Rainbow yet with extra keyboard layers – while ‘Dreamin’ It All’ showcases the fiery leads of Bell.

Sandwiched in-between the steel is the sensuous ‘Avalanche’, a glorious haunting ballad. Meanwhile, ‘Angels Fallen’ cruises in on a velvet ocean of sounds, twinkling and misty in its glide before its stormy chorus soars from the stardust, capping of another stunning album from a band that slips into the room like a former lover you just can’t shake off. But then again, why would you want to? Saints And Sinners is just an opulent from the band that keeps on giving.

Neil Arnold

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