FIRST SIGNAL

FIRST SIGNAL
The Resurgence and Evolution of Melodic Rock

1. The Significance of the Project in the Contemporary Melodic Rock Scene

In the melodic rock and AOR (Album-Oriented Rock) scene since the 2010s, FIRST SIGNAL occupies an extremely important position. This project is not a mere transient venture; it can be defined as an attempt to reconstruct and evolve the musical legacy of Harem Scarem—a legendary Canadian band that reached its peak in the early 1990s—through a contemporary production environment and a global songwriting network.

1.1 Project Background and Frontiers Records' Strategy

The birth of FIRST SIGNAL is closely related to the state of the melodic rock scene in the late 2000s. At the time, Serafino Perugino, the president and head of A&R at Frontiers Records—a record label based in Naples, Italy—was pushing a strategy to revive the sounds of yesteryear by pairing iconic vocalists from the '80s and '90s with the label's in-house producers and songwriters.

In this context, Harry Hess, the frontman of Harem Scarem, was an ideal candidate. Since Harem Scarem was in a state of disbandment (or long-term hiatus) after releasing the album Hope in 2008, fans were eagerly craving "pure melodic rock like early Harem Scarem." Perugino sensitively perceived this market demand and approached Hess about launching a new project by presenting him with a collection of songs that possessed "the magic and vibe of Harem Scarem."

2. Central Figure: Biography and Musical Roots of Harry Hess

The identity of FIRST SIGNAL is shaped by the unique voice of Harry Hess. Understanding his musical background is essential to understanding the direction of this project.

2.1 Early Life and Career: Blind Vengeance

Harry Hess was born on July 5, 1968, in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada (real name: Harold Hess). He grew up in an environment surrounded by music from an early age and started his professional career extremely early.

In the early 1980s, while still in his mid-teens, Hess formed the heavy metal band Blind Vengeance. With this band, he experienced album production at the age of 16. Hess later stated in an interview, "I turned 16 during the recording of Blind Vengeance. Theoretically, some of the songs on that album were written when I was 14 or 15." Blind Vengeance released two albums, A Taste of Sin in 1984 and Blind Vengeance in 1985. Looking back from his current perspective, Hess modestly reflects that the works from that time were "full of amateurism and embarrassing for my current self to listen to," but adds that "it was the best I could do with the tools I had at the time, and it was an important learning process that led to who I am today." The foundation of songwriting and recording experience cultivated during this period became the cornerstone of his later success with Harem Scarem.

2.2 Success and Struggles with Harem Scarem

In 1987, Harry Hess met guitarist Pete Lesperance and formed Harem Scarem. In 1991, they released their self-titled debut album Harem Scarem through Warner Music Canada, achieving commercial success.

Particularly noteworthy is their second album, Mood Swings, released in 1993. This work perfectly blended hard guitar riffs, thick harmonies, and catchy melodies, and was highly acclaimed by fans and critics worldwide as a monumental achievement in melodic hard rock. It is no exaggeration to say that the musical pinnacle aimed for by FIRST SIGNAL lies precisely in the sound of this Mood Swings era.

However, from the mid-1990s onward, traditional melodic rock entered a winter era due to the rise of grunge and alternative rock. Harem Scarem was also forced to change their musical style to fit the trends of the times. They went through a process of trial and error, including changing their band name to Rubber (1999–2001) and exploring a more modern and pop sound. While these musical transitions were a survival strategy for the band, they also became a factor that created a gap between them and fans who sought their "early sound."

In 2008, with the release of the album Hope, Harem Scarem declared their disbandment (hiatus) (reforming later in 2013). This period of "absence" was precisely what heightened Harry Hess's desire to return to his melodic rock roots, forming the breeding ground for the launch of FIRST SIGNAL.

2.3 As a Producer and Studio Owner

Harry Hess has achieved success not only as a vocalist but also as a prominent studio engineer and producer. He owns and operates his own recording studio, Vespa Music Group, in Toronto.

This studio has produced works for numerous top artists across various genres, including Billy Talent, Muse, Three Days Grace, Simple Plan, and Cancer Bats. In 2021, the album Mendó by Alex Cuba, which he was involved in, won a Grammy Award, reflecting the high regard for his technical skills within the industry. This high level of skill and experience behind the scenes has a paradoxical impact on his stance in FIRST SIGNAL. Unlike Harem Scarem, where he controls most of the production and songwriting himself, in FIRST SIGNAL, Hess deliberately leaves the production to external partners (Dennis Ward, Daniel Flores, Michele Guaitoli) and chooses a division of labor where he focuses entirely on his performance as a "singer."

3. Phase 1: The Dennis Ward Era and the Shocking Debut (2010)

The history of FIRST SIGNAL began with a collaboration with Dennis Ward, an acclaimed producer based in Germany.

3.1 Production Setup and Concept

In 2010, Frontiers Records selected Dennis Ward as Harry Hess's partner. Ward is known as the bassist for Pink Cream 69, and had earned absolute trust in the melodic rock world through his production work with projects like Khymera, Place Vendome, and Unisonic.

In this initial lineup, Darren Smith—the original drummer of Harem Scarem who also played a crucial role in backing vocals—joined as a backing vocalist (with Chris Schmidt handling the drums). Smith's participation delivered a powerful message to fans that "this is not just a mere solo project, but something that inherits the legitimate lineage of Harem Scarem." Other members included Michael Klein on guitar, Eric Ragno on keyboards, and Chris Schmidt on drums.

3.2 1st Album: Detailed Analysis of "FIRST SIGNAL"

Item	Content
Title	FIRST SIGNAL
Release Date	August 27, 2010 (Europe), September 14, 2010 (North America)
Label	Frontiers Records (Italy), Avalon (Japan)
Producer	Dennis Ward

Musical Characteristics of the Album: The concept of this work was clearly "a return to the Mood Swings era of Harem Scarem." The songs provided were gathered by utilizing Frontiers Records' network from the top melodic rock songwriters of the time. This included the brothers Tom and James Martin, Erik Martensson, Robert Sall, and Mark Baker.

Dennis Ward's production featured excellent instrument separation, creating a clear yet powerful soundscape. Harry Hess's vocal harmonies (including his combination with Darren Smith) were pushed to the forefront, with heavy chorus work dominating the entire album.

Track-by-Track Commentary:

1. This City (4:16)

A driving rock number perfectly suited for the opening track. The structure, developing from the intro guitar riff into a catchy, anthemic chorus, follows the royal road of classic melodic rock. The lyrics, themed around urban landscapes, loneliness, and hope, are vividly depicted through Hess's emotional singing.

2. When You Believe (4:06)

A song with elements of a mid-tempo power ballad. It is characterized by a positive message that sings about the power of believing. The keyboard backing adds depth to the track.

3. Part of Me (4:13)

An AOR number with an impressive, melancholic melody. It exudes a slightly dark yet melodious atmosphere reminiscent of Harem Scarem's Weight of the World era.

4. Crazy (4:38)

A hard rock tune featuring a dynamic rhythm section and Hess's powerful shouting. Michael Klein's technical playing shines through in the guitar solo.

5. Goodbye to the Good Times (4:41)

As the title indicates, this song is themed around nostalgia and parting with the past. The melody line of the chorus is highly hook-laden, possessing an "instant catchiness" that sticks in the ear after just one listen.

6. FIRST SIGNAL (4:21)

The title track bearing the project's name. A song that shows dramatic development, with Dennis Ward's bassline supporting the bottom of the track.

7. Feels Like Love This Time (4:48)

A typical '80s-style power ballad. It begins with a beautiful piano intro, gradually adding the band sound as it moves toward a grand climax.

8. Into the Night (4:09)

An up-tempo, driving rock number. The sensation of driving through the darkness of the night provides a pleasant rush.

9. When November Falls (4:31)

Characterized by a Scandinavian transparency and a melancholic melody. The lyrics, which overlay the transition of seasons with emotional changes, are impressive.

10. Yesterday's Rain (3:37)

The most compact song on the album, but dense with melody. It sings of the determination to overcome past pain (the rain).

11. Naked Desire (4:25)

The final track closing out the album, a passionate and emotional song. Hess's wide vocal range is fully displayed.

Critics and Market Response: The debut album received enthusiastic support from melodic rock specialty media and fans. Many reviews praised it along the lines of "the album Harem Scarem should have made after Mood Swings." In particular, the facts that Hess's singing voice showed absolutely no signs of decline and that the song quality was consistently high were well-received. On the other hand, some critics pointed out that while it was an excellent AOR album, it lacked innovation; however, there was no doubt that it was a work that perfectly satisfied the needs of its target audience.

4. Phase 2: The Daniel Flores Era and the Approach to the Scandinavian Sound (2016–2022)

Following the success of the debut album, Harem Scarem reunited and stepped up their activities, releasing the album Thirteen (2014), which caused FIRST SIGNAL to go into a temporary hibernation. However, Hess maintained his enthusiasm for singing excellent tracks written by external writers, and the project was restarted in 2016.

4.1 Production Changes: The Rise of the Swedish Team

The biggest change in the second phase was the shift in producer from Dennis Ward to Daniel Flores, a Swedish drummer and producer. Flores was known for projects like The Murder Of My Sweet and Find Me, and excelled in grand, "cinematic" sound production heavily utilizing synthesizers.

Additionally, from this period, young Swedish multi-instrumentalist Michael Palace joined full-time as a guitarist (and occasionally on bass). As a result, FIRST SIGNAL's sound approached a more wet and transparent "Scandinavian melodic rock," moving away from the dry, North American rock sound.

4.2 2nd Album: Detailed Analysis of "One Step Over The Line"

Item	Content
Title	One Step Over The Line
Release Date	June 3, 2016
Label	Frontiers Music Srl
Producer	Daniel Flores

Musical Characteristics of the Album: This work, serving as the first new release in six years, featured thicker layers of keyboards than its predecessor, giving the overall sound a brilliant sheen. Daniel Flores's drum sound was extremely tight, possessing a modern resonance through the clever incorporation of digital processing.

Tracklist and Major Track Analysis:

1. Love Run Free

A refreshing AOR number acting as the opening track. The expansion of the chorus in the refrain is breathtaking.

2. Love Gets Through

A song written by the Italian songwriting team of Davide Barbieri, Dave Zublena, and Pierpaolo Monti. A lyric video was also produced, and it functioned as a single. It features a catchy synth riff.

3. Still Pretending

A mid-tempo ballad with a heartbreaking melody that strikes the chest.

4. Broken

5. Kharma

6. Minute of Your Time

7. She is Getting Away

8. December Rain

9. Weigh Me In

10. Pedestal

11. One Step Over the Line

The album's title track, an epic piece with a dramatic structure.

4.3 3rd Album: Detailed Analysis of "Line Of Fire"

Item	Content
Title	Line Of Fire
Release Date	May 17, 2019
Label	Frontiers Music Srl
Producer	Daniel Flores

Musical Characteristics of the Album: The third album is evaluated as the work that approached "'80s arena rock" the closest in the history of FIRST SIGNAL. Of particular note is the collaboration with veteran Canadian songwriter Stan Meissner.

Major Track Analysis:

• Born to Be a Rebel: This track is a revival of an unreleased song co-written by Harry Hess and Stan Meissner in 1989. Because of its origins, the song's structure, riffs, and melodies all maintain a pure 100% '80s style throughout. It is a stadium rock anthem reminiscent of Survivor and Journey.
• Walk Through the Fire & Never Look Back Again: These tracks were also written by Stan Meissner, selected by Hess himself because they "perfectly fit this project."
• Line of Fire: The title track. The structure, connecting a tense verse to an explosive chorus, is superb.

Critics: Highly praised by some as "FIRST SIGNAL's masterpiece," it gained massive support from fans of the genre as a perfect AOR album with no filler tracks.

4.4 4th Album: Detailed Analysis of "Closer To The Edge"

Item	Content
Title	Closer To The Edge
Release Date	April 8, 2022
Label	Frontiers Music Srl
Producer	Daniel Flores

Musical Characteristics of the Album: The final work under the Daniel Flores production. The lineup underwent some changes, with Andi Kravljaca joining on guitar and Jonny Trobro on bass. The songwriting lineup included Pete Alpenborg, Alessandro Del Vecchio, and Kristian Fyhr (Seventh Crystal).

Major Track Analysis:

• Don't Let It End: The opening track. Quality melodic rock reminiscent of early Harem Scarem.
• Show Me the Way: A track characterized by a powerful chorus.
• Closer to the Edge: The title track. A song mixing elements of AOR and pomp rock. The technique of the new guitarist, replacing Michael Palace, shines through.

Critics: While maintaining stable quality, some harsh opinions noted it lacked the impact of the previous album Line Of Fire. Voices pointed out a "rut" or a "lack of originality," but Harry Hess's high-level vocal performance continued to be praised.

5. Phase 3: The Michele Guaitoli Era and the Shift to Modernism (2023–Present)

In 2023, FIRST SIGNAL entered a new phase. Replacing long-time producer Daniel Flores, up-and-coming Italian musician Michele Guaitoli took the helm.

5.1 New Direction: Heaviness and Melancholy

Michele Guaitoli also activates as a vocalist for symphonic metal bands Visions Of Atlantis and Temperance, possessing a more modern and metal-oriented background. With his appointment, FIRST SIGNAL's sound shifted from conventional "brilliant AOR" to "edgy melodic hard rock." Harry Hess himself mentioned in an interview, "This time it's a bit heavier than past albums, and personally, I prefer it this way. Since I'm a fan of melodic rock with a hard edge, I consciously chose tracks like that," indicating this change was intentional.

5.2 5th Album: Detailed Analysis of "Face Your Fears"

Item	Content
Title	Face Your Fears
Release Date	February 17, 2023
Label	Frontiers Music Srl
Producer	Michele Guaitoli

Lineup:

• Harry Hess (Vocals)
• Marco Pastorino (Guitars) - Temperance
• Michele Guaitoli (Bass, Additional Guitars, Production)
• Marco Andreetto (Drums)

Musical Characteristics and Themes of the Album: The album title Face Your Fears carries a message aimed at the post-pandemic (COVID-19) world. Hess stated, "Everyone felt fear, and the world was in chaos. The theme is to look up and move forward." Sound-wise, Marco Pastorino's guitar distortion is more aggressive, leading to an increase in riff-driven songs. However, the core aspect—the beauty of the melodies—has not been lost.

Full Tracklist:

1. Unbreakable
2. Situation Critical
3. Shoot the Bullet - The lead track for which a music video was also produced. Modern heaviness and a catchy chorus coexist.
4. Always Be There
5. Dominoes
6. Rain for Your Roses
7. Face Your Fears
8. Never Gonna Let You Go
9. Not This Time
10. In the Name of Love
11. Never Be Silenced

Critics: Many media outlets received this "heavy direction change" favorably. Praise included phrases like "a departure from the AOR style of the past few releases" and "full of more energy," proving that the project is still evolving.

6. Songwriting and Creative Process

The uniqueness of FIRST SIGNAL lies in its production process. Whereas Harem Scarem is a "band" based on a fixed partnership between Harry Hess and Pete Lesperance, FIRST SIGNAL is an "open collaboration platform."

6.1 Contributions of Key Songwriters

Frontiers Records has matched talented songwriters from all over the world with this project. Key contributors are listed below.

• The Martin Brothers (Tom & James Martin): A British brother songwriting team known for providing tracks to Khymera and Sunstorm. Their songs are characterized by melancholic melodies and dramatic developments, contributing significantly to shaping the early FIRST SIGNAL sound.
• Erik Martensson: Frontman of the Swedish band Eclipse and the central figure of W.E.T. One of the most important songwriters in the contemporary melodic rock scene. His provided tracks combine Scandinavian transparency with the dynamism of arena rock.
• Alessandro Del Vecchio: House producer and songwriter for Frontiers Records. Known for being highly prolific, he has provided tracks and served as a backing vocalist on multiple FIRST SIGNAL albums.
• Stan Meissner: Veteran Canadian songwriter. Providing an unreleased track from 1989 for Line Of Fire was a decisive factor in the high evaluation of that album.

6.2 Advantages and Challenges as a "Project"

The greatest advantage of this division of labor is that Harry Hess is freed from the "pressure of songwriting" and can focus 100% on his expression as a vocalist. Hess has stated, "In Harem Scarem, we do 90% of things ourselves, but in FIRST SIGNAL, I intentionally do things differently. I don't produce, and I try not to get too involved in songwriting."

On the other hand, because the members are fluid, it is sometimes exposed to criticism that it "lacks a sense of unity (chemistry) as a band." The fact that live activities are rarely held is also a factor why this project does not exceed the boundaries of a "studio project." However, changing the producer for each album and constantly seeking a fresh sound can be considered a strength as a long-lived project.

7. As a Utopia for Melodic Rock

Since its launch in 2010, FIRST SIGNAL has released five studio albums over more than a decade, establishing a firm position in the contemporary melodic rock scene.

The factors behind its success can be summarized into the following three points:

1. Harry Hess's Unchanging Singing Voice: Even after more than 30 years since his debut, his husky and emotional singing voice shows no signs of aging and continues to stir the hearts of listeners.
2. Stable Supply of High-Quality Songs: Through Frontiers Records' powerful A&R capabilities, a collection of "all killer, no filler" tracks gathered from top writers worldwide is provided.
3. Evolution to Match the Times: The sound is continually updated by changing producers, from the authentic rock of Dennis Ward to the Scandinavian AOR of Daniel Flores and the modern heaviness of Michele Guaitoli.

While Harem Scarem continues to mature and change as a band, FIRST SIGNAL functions as a "utopia" that provides the "melodic rock of those days" that fans crave most, delivered with contemporary quality. It is expected that high-quality works will continue to be produced as one of Harry Hess's lifeworks.

8. Discography Data

Year	Title	Label	Producer	Remarks
2010	FIRST SIGNAL	Frontiers / Avalon	Dennis Ward	Debut album. Features Darren Smith.
2016	One Step Over The Line	Frontiers / Avalon	Daniel Flores	Second album after 6 years. Features Michael Palace.
2019	Line Of Fire	Frontiers / Avalon	Daniel Flores	Contains a track co-written with Stan Meissner.
2022	Closer To The Edge	Frontiers / Avalon	Daniel Flores	Final work under the Flores production.
2023	Face Your Fears	Frontiers / Avalon	Michele Guaitoli	Shifted to a heavier sound.