It’s been just under a year since I last caught Dante Fox live and some six months since I interviewed  guitarist Tim Manford. At that point Under The Seven Skies was due for imminent release but a change of label has seen the record delayed and it's only now that it is about to see the light of day. The band's first two albums were very much keyboard driven AOR, but as Manford intimated the interview 'Under The Seven Skies' sees Dante Fox taking a steep away from that sound and capturing more of how the band are in the live environment. if that was the intention then it has been achieved in buckets and with the material being far more rocking and blues based than in the past Dante Fox cross that fine,fine line between AOR and into melodic hard rock territory.

The one thing that I loved about the debut album, 'Under Suspicion', was the fact that it is was a collection of memorable, clever songs that stuck in your head for days. Dante Fox have managed to repeat the same trick with 'Under The Seven Skies'. Take opener 'The Last Goodbye', a song I haven't stop singing since the album arrived through the post. The same goes for 'Breaking Me Down'. Manford is a fan of both Neal Schon and John Sykes and those influences obviously tell in the likes  of 'Firing Guns', a great up-tempo rocker that gives him chance to let rip without losing that all important melody factor.

Vocalist Sue Willets has come criticism in some quarters for her live performance where she perhaps has a tendency to over reach for notes but in the studio she proves far more controlled and any complaints are easily dismissed. Hold Out Your Hand being a prime example of this, blending the like of Steve Nicks with Ann Wilson to produce a memorable performance.

Obviously this wouldn't be a Dante Fox album without any ballads and on this CD 'Goodbye To Yesterday' proves exceptional, an organic sounding track and 'Love Tried To Find You' isn't far behind in terms of quality. But it in the more up-tempo numbers that the band truly excel. 'Save Me' and Lucky Ones (Born Tonight In The Setting Sun) being fine examples of the new direction and style Dante Fox have settled on. Then of course there is the band's gift to rock club DJ's country wide.  The epic, nine and a half minute title track 'Under The Seven Skies'.

At that length the said DJ can nip off and do what needs to be done with time to spare as the track opens up like a Satriani/Vai out take before the vocals kick. As Tim himself said in the interview it is like three songs welded together, but welded with precision and seamlessly. it only serves to makes me look forward to what the band may produce on album number four.

To sum up, an album that has been some eight years in the making, but certainly one that has been worth the wait as the band show a real growth and maturity in both the material and the execution from previous efforts.

Let us know your views on 'Under The Seven Skies'

Track Listing

The Last Goodbye
Firing Guns
Hold Out Your Hand
Breaking Me Down
Goodbye To Yesterday
Walking The Line
Love Tried To Find You
Save Me
Lucky Ones (Born Tonight In The Setting Sun)
Under The Seven Skies

Line Up

Sue Willets - Vocals
Tim Manford - Guitars
Mike Dagnall - Bass
Roman Wieckowski - Keyboards
Mick Hales - Drums