Retribution

Retribution is the sixth album, placing Jeff Scott Soto's soulful vocal power in a heavier, more modern rock context. Released in November 2017 to mark 15 years of partnership with Frontiers. He co-wrote and co-produced it with longtime ally Howie Simon, who handles most of the guitar and bass, with Edu Cominato on drums. Made by a small team, its sonic focus is notably clear. Soto himself takes vocals and keyboards. Sons of Apollo also started up that year, so it came out of an extremely busy period. Thick guitar, low swelling rhythm and high-intensity vocals layer up, and the songs carry human emotion as well as hardness. Melodic rock's approachability remains, but the sound has an aggressive outline. From the title track through the drive of “Inside/Outside,” the weight of “Rage of the Year,” the personal color of “Song for Joey,” and “Breakout” to the closing “Autumn,” the record suggests his career's range while the focus stays always on vocal expression — a chance to confirm again his appeal as a frontman who moves songs forward on the strength of his voice.