Release Date 12.06.2026
Format CD/LP/Digital
Genre Melodic Rock, AOR
Origin Canada
Canada’s Lockhart arrives with musicians already known in heavy music circles, even if the sound here goes far beyond metal territory. Devon Kerr, Jason Junop and Fabio Alessandrini bring years of experience from bands like Cauldron, Goat Horn, Enforcer and Annihilator into a style built on arena rock hooks, glowing keyboards and classic hard rock songwriting. Their debut full-length, “City Pulse”, lands through High Roller Records and shows a band more interested in melody and atmosphere than trying to sound tough for the sake of it.
“City Pulse” sits somewhere between old school AOR and melodic hard rock with strong eighties DNA running through every song. Names like Journey, Boston, Toto and Foreigner come to mind fast, though Lockhart avoids sounding like a tribute act. The keyboards have that warm neon glow, the choruses are huge, and the guitars still bring enough bite to stop the album from drifting too far into sugary territory. Even with all the melodic shine, there is enough hard rock muscle underneath to keep metal listeners interested.
The songwriting is where the album really scores points. Tracks like “The Dose That Made You Poison”, “Under Fire” and “Before The Fall” are built around strong vocal hooks and smart arrangements without turning into predictable radio fluff. The band puts a lot of attention into layered harmonies and melodic details, giving the songs a rich character that grows stronger after repeated listens. “Together As One” also adds another big chorus to the album and shows how naturally Lockhart mixes emotional melodies with energetic hard rock rhythms.
One thing that helps “City Pulse” is its balance. The album never gets buried in keyboards or overloaded with guitar hero moments. Fabio Alessandrini’s drumming gives the songs plenty of drive, while Jason Junop’s bass adds a steady pulse underneath all the melodic layers. Devon Kerr handles vocals, guitars and keyboards with style, especially during the album’s bigger refrains where the material reaches its strongest moments. Guest appearances from musicians connected to Municipal Waste and Cauldron also add extra flavor without turning the album into a parade of cameos.
For metal fans raised on old hard rock and melodic heavy music, “City Pulse” has a lot going for it. It is catchy, energetic and written with real care, even if a few songs lean heavily into glossy AOR territory. Some listeners looking for rawness or heavier aggression may not fully connect with the smoother direction, though Lockhart never drifts into lifeless corporate rock. This is a strong debut packed with sharp melodies, excellent musicianship and enough fire to make it stick long after the album ends.
| 7.5
Add comment
Comments