Wednesday, July 29, 2009

HEARTLYNE - No Retreat No Surrender (1987 - 2009)


Die-hard collectors (like myself) already own these demo songs recorded between 1986-87 and published as bootleg.
Recently have been remastered from original tapes and released officially for the first time.
HEARTLYNE was the first german band of Tommy HEART and Chris LYNE (wise guys).
If these names doesn't ring a bell to you , Tommy would achieve a great success (especially in Japan) as ZENO and FAIR WARNING vocalist, and along with Lyne founded later SOUL DOCTOR.

These primitive recordings (still as semi-professionals) have all the charm and freshness of talented people.
Typical european melodic hard rock / scandi AOR style.
"No Retreat No Surrender" is a time capsule trip, mid-eighties feeling is here, a keyboard driven heaven.

The most notable tune is "Starlight" (fortunately they've included as bonus a version never heard before).
Another gem is the wonderful keyboard driven fest "Stay With Me", very well written, similar of what was to come from Tommy with Zeno and Fair Warning.
"Broken Promises" with its grandiose chorus wouldn't get out of place in any scandi AOR album from Sweden.

While some songs lacks some polished rework, we can appreciate the good intentions and the ability to create good melodies.
Tommy's voice didn't reach the full potential yet, but it sounds wonderful and above the standards of that time.

I love this music style, this set of songs are gold powder to me.
Listen to this record not judging the technical flaws, just enjoy the essence of the songs.
If you like pure mid 80's guitar & keyboard stuff ala TREAT, CRAAFT, ZINATRA, RAW SILK and of course FAIR WARNING and ZENO, don't miss this one!

Do you like it? BUY IT (I've ordered a copy).
Encourage the bands to release this kind of material from the vaults.
Thanx to Josam for the rip! (gracias tron)


1. Starlight
2. No Retreat No Surrender
3. Victims Of Your Love
4. Broken Promises
5. Strike An Arrow
6. Change (All Over The World)
7. Sacred Heart
8. Stay With Me
9. Empty Eyes
10. Don´t Walk Away
11. Starlight (different version)

Tommy Heart - Lead vocals
Chris Lyne - Lead / acoustic guitars
CW Johannsohn - Lead guitars
Jogy Rautenberg - Bass
Alex Strauch - Keyboards
K.K. - Drums

HEARTLYNE - No Retreat No Surrender

5 Comments:

A Fan said...

Alot of name checking in your review make this impossible for me not to grab it Camel,really looking forward to hearing this one

Thanx as always friend

A Fan

McKagan said...

thank you !

Anonymous said...

Dude,
I doubted that this was a legit request to remove or just some collector who was selfish and didn't want anyone else to have? So I check and yesterrock was seemed to be a legit site but I had to look a a cached version of the website as it no longer functions? maybe we can get a link again? Thanks for a great site and I agree in that this promotes the music! it does not kill it! if not for you I would not have known about it and if I DL and I like I will go purchase! if it sucks at least it get promoted!

Rocken

Anonymous said...

Thank You

Tricia Karch said...

Alot of name checking in your review make this impossible for me not to grab it Camel,really looking forward to hearing this one Thanx as always friend A Fan