All the way from Penzance in Cornwall here cometh the debut release from the multi talented David Mark Pearce. Having studied at the london College of Music and Media and gaining his diploma in music technology way back in 1996, David has worked on various notable projects over the years leading up to his very own 2011 offering, 'Strange Ang3ls'.

Beware, because the first sound you get is a lady's scream on the gentle intro piece 'Ang3ls (Help Us)' bouncing straight into 'Alone I Cry', the sort of classic AOR that was around in the dear old mid to late 1980s, continuing with 'Shelter Me From The Rain', a previous EP release, leaning more towards European melodic rock than your archetypal American sound. A nice smooth production flows throughout the ten tracks on offer and the album also features an impressive guest cast including former Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist Goran Edman, former vocalist of Brit supergroup and AOR demi gods Asia, John Payne, and a guest appearance from Yes keyboard player Oliver Wakeman.

'Tell Me Why' has some nice vocal passages and melodic guitar interludes interwoven with some solid keyboard work. 'Everytime It Rains' builds from its rainy introduction into a six string driven almost seven minute instrumental which in our current climate could almost be the soundtrack to our lives. 'Strange Ang3ls' welcomes back vocals into the fray and yet another fine performance across the board.

It would be interesting to see how the epic sounding 'To Live Again' and 'Save Your Prayers' come across live as the album, despite having a very smooth production, still comes over like a live recording. The whole package for me has a John Norum inspired sound and, of course, Edman previously sang with Norum.

'So Far From Heaven' brings things to a close, an uptempo piece with some neat Pearce riffs, but it's those vocals that for me stand out and give it that slight edge over the norm.

AOR fans take note......one to check out.

www.davidmarkpearce.com