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Band: STRONGHOLD
Country: USA
Product title: Portal of Illusion
Kind of product: Full-lenght CD
Release year: 2003
Label: self-produced
Genre: heavy metal
Line-up: Dave Climo (guitars)
        Chris Batton(drums and percussion)
        Alex Demos (guitars)
        Dan Climo (4&5 strings bass)
        Kevin Rasel (lead vocals, guitars, keys)
Tracks: 1. Power Rises
       2. Stronghold
       3. Cyclone
       4. Enemy Within
       5. Fractured
       6. Ironheart
       7. Twilight
       8. All That I Am
       9. Before My Eyes Awake
       10. Lockdown
       11. Ad Astra
Total time: 50:18

Review: Another old CD I receive for review, but that's no problem as long as it comes from the band, that way I know it's their latest release and they are still promoting it. So, Stronghold is a new name for my ears which is not very good as these guys are really talented and their music is very enjoyable and catchy. Melodic hard rock with some heavy touches a la '80's trend, manly displayed with strong guitars, misterious, ambiental keyboard background, great vocals supported by choirs from time to time, powerful rhythm section. Good production, nice cover-artwork, good band-image (it reminds me of Manowar's image - a lot of muscles display). The thing I enjoy better about this band is the voice of Kevin Rasel who also does guitars, keyboards and cover artwork. Another interesting fact about this album is the special-guest help of D.C. Cooper on backup vocals and keyboards, and he also does the whole album production.