Starchase: Afterlife (MelodicRock)

Australian melodic rockers Starchase have a new album out, titled Afterlife. It’s the second album from the band, which features singer Jason Old (of The Radio Sun) alongside past bandmates from Square One and Safire. Somehow I completely missed the Starchase debut in 2016, so Afterlife is my first exposure to the band, but man those signature vocals make this album feel very familiar.

It’s not just the vocals that bring to mind The Radio Sun. Starchase’s approach to melodic rock seems very similar as well. Namely, huge vocal harmonies, big guitar hooks and the general notion that rock n’ roll should make you feel good. Not too hard and not too soft, Afterlife hits right in that melodic rocking middle ground, bringing to mind bands like Night Ranger, Nelson, Romeo Riot, Raintimes and Harem Scarem.

Afterlife is such an easy listen; it’s the kind of album that’s perfect for summer driving. Songs like “Afterlife,” “Crash and Burn,” “Leap Of Faith” and “I Don’t Want To Be Lonely” are high points, but the whole album is really solid and the songs all have serious replay value.

Needless to say, if you are a fan of Jason Old’s vocals in The Radio Sun, you’re going to want to hear this one. And if you just enjoy good melodic rock in general, Starchase is a band that’s well worth discovering. Better late than never, right?