Talon | Hard Rock Hideout

0 Talon “III” Coming in November!

September 19, 2011
by Rob Rockitt
· Entertainment · Hard Rock Music · Hard Rock News · Music

An American band and based in California, TALON was born from the ashes of VOXEN – a band that achieved international success with their release “Sacrifice”, which included a track that was used in the major motion picture “Outbreak” starring Dustin Hoffman.

Soon after, a new vision was brought forward with the recruitment of Michael O’Mara (Joshua Perahia, EFX) and demos were soon recorded and then the band signed on with Now and Then/Frontiers Records which culminated with the release of their self-titled debut. The CD was produced by Mikey Davis (KISS, W.A.S.P., Slaughter). Upon release, the CD was wildly praised and was on countless top-10 lists for the year. Soon followed major live shows, including The Gods Festival in the U.K. Talon also had the privilege of being Stan Bush’s backing band at The Gods Festival and the subsequent DVD release. After a break of working on individual projects, Talon recorded new demos and ultimately signed with Kivel Records and then recorded their next release “Fallen Angels”. With a closer vibe to an AOR feel, New York native Chandler Mogel was brought on board and more live shows – including Firefest 5 – were performed. “Fallen Angels” was a huge success and brought Talon into the forefront of the Melodic Rock field.

Upon mutual agreement, Chandler Mogel went on to front the Greece outfit Outloud and with a new group of songs, Talon were on a quest to create the ultimate album and added some serious quality to the band – Shawn Pelata (Line of Fire) and Eric Ragno (China Blue, Takara, etc.). Now – the band have just signed to Escape Music for the release of this classic slab of Melodic Rock – “III” – which is scheduled for release in November, 2011!

Talon “III” recently completed mixing at The Recovery Room by Ty Sims (Far Cry, Tango Down) and is full of classic hard rock songs and ballads that the band describes as “really a return to the sound, vibe and energy of our debut S/T release”. “This latest CD was a total labour of love and we all feel this will be our strongest release to date! We pulled out all the stops and really think the results speak for themselves and is an excellent follow-up to our recent ‘Fallen Angels’ release”. In addition, premiere vocalist Jeff Scott Soto (Journey, Talisman, JSS) has a guest appearance on the album with some amazing lead vocals on the hard-driving track “Take You All The Way”! The best musicians contributed their best talents to help create an outstanding release !

Track List:

1- Crying To Me
2 – The Last Time
3- Did You Have To Say
4- Everytime
5- Take You All The Way
6- Maybe One Day
7- You Don’t Know Me At All
8- Walk Away
9- Brothers
10- When Will I
11- You Got What It Takes
12- Jane

The Band:

Shawn Pelata – Lead and Backing Vocals
Kory Voxen – Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Jim Kee – Lead Guitar
Phil Keller – Bass Guitar
Eric Ragno – Keyboards
John Parker – Drums

Backing Vocals: Erik Johnson

*Guest Musicians: Jeff Scott Soto: Lead and Backing Vocals on “Take You All The Way”

Produced by Ty Sims / Co-Produced by John Parker and Kory Voxen

2 Talon – Fallen Angels (Release Year – 2008)

talonfallenangels-1 Talon is a California based band made up of vocalist Chandler Mogel, lead guitarist Jim Kee, rhythm guitarist and keyboards from Kory Voxen, bassist Phil Keller, and drummer John Parker. They are also a band that I have been hearing a lot about over the past couple of months, especially since they opened Firefest V. Once I was able to get my hands on their album “Fallen Angels” I couldn’t wait to hear what all the fuss was about. IF I was a man of few words I could sum up my review of “Fallen Angels” in two words Holy %$#!

These California guys know how to kick ass!! “Fallen Angels” is stuffed with great arena ready melodic rock, amazing guitar work, and outstanding vocals. From what I understand this is the band’s first album with vocalist Chandler Mogel and what an outstanding choice, Chandler is an amazing singer. Since I found out about Talon and “Fallen Angels” I went and picked up their 2002 self titled debut and Chandler simply blows the previous singer out of the water.

Almost every review I have seen mention the opening track “Fallen Angels” as a song of the year now while I personally would not go that far, although there are at least three or four other songs I could consider for song of the year, it is a great song and an excellent preview for the things to come on this album. Filled with soaring vocals, cool keyboard work from Kory Voxen, great background vocals, and outstanding guitar work from Jim Kee, where did this guy come from, he is awesome!!

“Burn” is the second song on the album and it is every bit as great as “Fallen Angels” more brilliant playing from Kee and the band as a whole. Mogel’s vocals are simply addictive. Believe it or not the album only gets stronger after these first two songs.

“What About Me” is the first song on this album I could consider as song of the year. Absolutely amazing, it has a catchy sing along radio ready chorus, background vocals most bands would kill for. This song should sound great in the arenas and have everyone singing along as they bang their heads along with the words.

Another song of the year candidate comes in the form of “Baby Jane” and it is without a doubt the best power ballad I have heard this year. Mogel, Kee, and bassist Phil Keller all shine on this song. This is another song ready made for arenas that should have the audience singing along and flicking their bics.

Remember how I said “Fallen Angels” only gets stronger the further into the album you go. “Always Be My Baby” is another prime example of that, yet another song of the year candidate. Pretty much outstanding everything on this song guitars, keyboards, background vocals. The thing I really love about Voxen’s keyboards on this entire album is they enhance every song without over saturating any of the songs that a lot of bands tend to do.

“Paradise” is probably my least favorite song on the album and it is still a extremely good song, I really don’t know what is keeping me from getting into this song. It has great vocals and more great guitars but it just hasn’t clicked with me yet.

Honestly I could go on and on about how great the rest of the songs on this album such as “I Won’t”, “Crying In The Dark”, “All I Ever Needed”, and “Wrecking Ball 2008” are, but I will make it simple if you like melodic hard rock with great vocals, killer guitars, great songwriting and playing all the way around you have to have “Fallen Angels” in your collection no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

Rating: Out of 10

1. Fallen Angels
2. Burn
3. What About Me
4. Baby Jane
5. Always Be My Baby
6. Paradise
7. I Won’t
8. Crying In The Dark
9. Live Free
10.All I Ever Needed
11.Wrecking Ball (2008)
12.C’est La Vie

Talon is:
Chandler Mogel – Vocals
Kory Voxen – Rhythm Guitar
Jim Kee – Lead Guitar
Phil Keller – Bass
John Parker – Drums