II

II is the second album, on which Hardline — with powerful vocals, thick choruses and hard guitar — returned forcefully to melodic hard rock after about a decade. Released on Frontiers in 2002. Around Johnny Gioeli, it brought in Josh Ramos (guitar, ex-The Storm) and others, and became the last album to feature Joey Gioeli. The songs carry big hooks while the rhythm has a suitable weight, never leaning on sweetness alone. From the racing opener “Hold Me Down,” through “Paralyzed” and the debut-era-written “Face the Night,” “Do or Die” and “Your Eyes,” to the closer “This Gift,” it carefully bridges the old feel and the sound of the time. The contrast of bracing rockers and emotional ballads enriches the album. In this period Johnny also sang in Axel Rudi Pell’s band, and his commanding voice is the core here too. Answering longtime fans’ expectations while taking a new step — a record that powerfully announces a great band brought back to life.