As the one-time power metal singer of Reverence and Jack Starr’s Burning Starr, and now going on seven years fronting Riot V, Todd Michael Hall has enjoyed playing to large audiences overseas while largely flying under the radar in America.
That changed last year when he auditioned for the hit television show “The Voice.” Hall not only displayed his outrageous chops multiple times on national television in front of millions, but he wowed all-star musician judges Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, John Legend and Blake Shelton. Although Hall did not win the entire program, his rendition of Foreigner’s “Juke Box Hero” (watch below) got people talking and helped spark his forthcoming solo album. Sonic Healing drops May 7 via Rat Pak Records, and it’s notable for a few reasons.
Hall teamed with Metal Church guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, who wrote the music and plays all instruments on the record. Furthermore, the songs are in the classic-rock vein a la Foreigner, Styx and REO Speedwagon. Kicking off with first single and video “Overdrive” (watch below), Hall is sure to gain an even broader audience that either piggybacks off his work on television or the diehard metalheads who like to jam to classic rock bands in the shower or car but are too cool to admit it in front of other black T-shirt wearing personalities.
Behind other anthems such as “Let Loose Tonight,” “Like No Other” and “Long Lost Rock N’ Rollers,” Sonic Healing not only makes it easy to jam along. Hall and Vanderhoof let it be known there’s no shame in doing so even for the heaviest of rockers.
Click the video link at the bottom to watch our entire interview from earlier today.
