Manchester, England’s IN FAITH have seemingly come out of nowhere (even though they have been in the planning stages for nearly two years) and have now arrived on the scene with “There’s A Storm Coming”, their debut record for new Euro upstart label Rocktopia Records. IN FAITH is comprised of veteran’s Tony Marshall (ex-CONTAGIOUS and VAUGHN) and Pete Newdeck (TAINTED NATION and ex-EDEN’S CURSE) along with Marshall’s longtime friend Pete Godfrey. This British three-piece have unleashed something special so if you are the least bit curious then read on to see what I have to say.

The new record opens with the full on rocker “Radio”. The song sounds like primetime WINGER with Godfrey’s potent vocals and the ripping guitar supplying the centerpiece for this slick number. The production is spot-on with crispness and clarity that one would recall from the good old days of late 80’s rock. It’s a great track to set the tone for the record.

The first single from the album follows in “Does It Feel Like Love” and the song continues to impress with its tasty melodic rock style and Godfrey’s soaring vocals. The harmony vocals are a strongpoint also and take the chorus to an undeniable level.

“Church Of Rock an’ Roll” is an anthem of sorts with a certain attitude as supplied by Marshall’s guitar work and Godfrey’s convincing vocals. Some later day WINGER influences creep back into the mix for me and the song is another winner. The band takes a stab at the classic melodic rock ballad with “Where I Wanna Be”. It’s a track that could have been seriously popular in the days of MTV had it been around back then. It might not be something you haven’t heard before but it’s done with total conviction and could sit perfectly in between BON JOVI and TYKETTO in the weekly Top 10 Video Countdown!

“Addicted” sounds of early HAREM SCAREM meets vintage BON JOVI with a smidgeon of WINGER thrown in for good measure (now there’s a thought for ya, huh?). What a great song that sees guest guitarist Chris Green (ex-PRIDE and FURYON and currently RUBICON CROSS) going off with an impressive solo. It doesn’t let up for one second and is a definite highlight of the record and in running for song of the year!

The mid-tempo “If That’s What Love Means” has hints of BON JOVI with a big wall-of-sound modern rock vibe to it. If BON JOVI were writing songs like this today they’d be exciting again. “All or Nothing” has a WINGER meets modern HAREM SCAREM vibe again. It’s more a straight-ahead rocker with great guitar work from Marshall while “In Flames” is more of the same. It’s a bit more tempered than the previous song but still a straight on, good-old rock track. I’m really impressed with the vocal work from Pete Godfrey on the record and it makes me wonder where he’s been all these years.

“A Million Ways” starts off with soft piano before kicking into a HAREM SCAREM infused rocker and even displays some DEF LEPPARD-isms along the way. And “Leave Me Now” sees Godfrey furthering the Joe Elliott/DEF LEP vibe on this acoustic-based number. It’s got poppy overtones with some modern production nuances. It’s a tastefully done number with potential in the right opportunity.

Ending the record is “Bitter End” with its “Pull” era WINGER-like vibe. There is a little of that HAREM SCAREM sound throughout also.

“There’s A Storm Coming” is a glorious debut from IN FAITH. This band really came out of nowhere for me but it’s a release that will stick with me for a while. As 2014 comes to a close this album will certainly be in contention for record of the year in my book. Check it out!