Peterik / Scherer

When Grammy Award-winning songwriter Jim Peterik and singer Marc Scherer joined forces to create the ultimate album to showcase the latter’s incredible vocal talent, they didn’t quite realise they would eventually create a rock n’ roll record that stands as an incredible feat in an attempt at resuscitating the long-lifeless body of classic rock.

First of all, if you’re looking for the ultimate nostalgia in 80’s classic rock you have most certainly come to the right place. When you long gave up on getting your fix of the high from cranking out Journey and Rainbow in the car, Risk Everything is here to make it acceptable again. The record kicks off with the powerful title-track and soon Scherer shows us just what the hype with his voice is all about. After five and a half minutes of a pure feel good rock hit, you find yourself enjoying it just a little too much. Where there are moments you feel as though you’ve stumbled into the soundtrack of Flash Gordon (especially with an album cover that looks like a unicorn has thrown up on it) songs like the infectious ‘Cold Blooded’ and the heartfelt ‘Desperate In Love’ make everything feel right again.

There is a real sense of consistency on Risk Everything. Throughout the entirety of the eleven song track list, where other classic rock bands have fallen at the hurdle of repetition, Peterik and Scherer manage to keep things fresh here with every song, from the breath-taking ‘Thee Crescendo’ to the uplifting ballad of ‘Broken Home’, Risk Everything is really an evolving collection of songs that demonstrate a modern slant on what bands like Journey accomplished in their heyday.

Peterik’s song writing is something worth recognising on Risk Everything. After years of experience in his previous bands Survivor and Ides Of March, it is clear his influence made an instant impact in this new partnership. Accompanied by Scherer’s prog-rock Dream Theatre like vocals that lift every song on the album up to new heights, it is clear why the two decided to pair up, especially since Peterik regarded the singer as “truly one of the best voices I’ve heard – and I’ve worked with the best!”