So it all began. Initially recording demos at Sammy's house and then on to Boston to work in Pihl's studio. The band was searching for a style and musical unity that most bands get from growing up together or playing in rival bands. Though this band was spread geographically throughout the country, with Pihl in Boston, Fitz in Texas, Lauser in Northern California and Berry in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, they were commited to this long distance, sonic relationship. To complicate things even further Pihl was still working with Boston, Fitz was the behind the scenes keyboard player for Van Halen, Lauser was still touring and helping Hagar with his "Unboxed" release and Berry, after finishing an album and tour with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer (in the band 3) was busy producing other artist as well as keeping his solo career rolling. Writing and releaseing several Cd's. Over the next four years they continued to build their long distance affair by sending each other tapes and ideas and meeting at Berry's Soundtek Studio to write and record together.

The first album simply titled "Alliance" is the sum of those four years. Some songs are the original demos from Hagar's basement and Pihl's studio. Some are from the bands 1996 Japanese release "Bond of Union". With the success of their first album in Europe, and the desire to keep creating new music, they immediately started to write and record their next CD. The scheduling was still an obstacle to overcome but the musical standard had been set and they wanted to acceed their first release. The second album "Missing Piece" would turn out to be the total fusion of these four musical talents. It shows the incredible growth and maturity the band was searching for. They broke new ground with the combined debth of lyrics and musical arrangements.

Without having heard their previous efforts, I had to go on instinct as I listened to 'Road To Heaven.' My first thoughts took me back to Bad English, the John Waite fronted band of the the late 80's. In a sense, Robert Berry has that loose yet extremely clear vocal style that Waite exemplified. And on certain songs I hear that same powerful and melodic arena rock sound; songs like 'Road To Heaven,' Comin' Home,' and 'We Don't Talk.' So those were my first impressions; and now I can put my comparisons aside. On a whole, Alliance's 'Road To Heaven,' is a solid work of dramatic and melodic hard rock from first to last. I was never bored for one moment. This is a tight band with strong abilities in song composition and musicianship.
I could easily mention something notable about each song simply because they are all that good. However, let point out a few more great cuts. 'I Can Breathe' is a breathtaking number for it's great vocal harmonies and ripping guitar work. Berry is simply remarkable on 'Like Me Like That' with his soaring vocals and enthusiastic interjections in the right moments. On 'Comin' Home,' my favorite song, the whole band delivers with a driving rock number loaded with vocal and instrumental excitement. 'Not Done Til It's Done' is a thoroughly clever and memorable piece only because the music is so unique: a great mix of keyboards with a phenomenal rhythm section and again terrific vocals from Berry. Alliance's 'Road To Heaven' is a colossal album of great significance: great songs, riffs, vocals: just simply excellent melodic hard rock. It doesn't get any better than this. Escape Music still publishes two of their three previous albums. I must add them to my back catalogue. Until then, I encourage you to find and buy 'Road To Heaven' without delay. You will not be disappointed. Very highly recommended!
- Craig Hartranft