Joshua Perahia - Chapter One (1995) [Reissue 2001]

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Joshua Perahia - Chapter One (1995) [Reissue 2001]

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Perahia formed the first incarnation of his full time group Joshua after quitting his studies in pre-med at UCLA in the late seventies. Joshua's 1983 Enigma debut, The Hand Is Quicker Than The Eye, preceded the Jeff Fenholt fronted Polydor release Surrender from 1986. After recruiting a new vocalist in Rob Rock (Impellitteri), Perahia returned to the studio and recorded the polished melodic metal of the critically acclaimed Intense Defense (which came out on RCA Europe in 1988). Seven long years passed – that included a stint in Jaguar with vocalist Robyn Kyle Basauri (Red Sea, Die Happy) – before he put together his new group, M Pire, and its full length debut Chapter One. Originally released on Long Island Records in 1995 (and soon to go out of print when Long Island went out of business), Chapter One was re-issued in 2001 on M&K Sound – under the new heading Joshua Perahia as opposed to M Pire – and for a second time in 2008 (but with the track “Bad Man” omitted).

Chapter One, traversing melodic metal and hard rock territory, delivers not only some of the heaviest moments of Perahia’s career but some of the most blues based as well. This is best exhibited on mid-tempo numbers such as the driving “You Want It All”, acoustic laced “Dark Days”, angst-laden “It Must Be Love” and scratchy blues metal of “Devil’s River”. Catchy melodies abound on “Concrete Jungle” and “Steady Weapon” (two of the albums better tracks) while an up-tempo heading is taken on “Long Way To Heaven”, “Walk Into The Light” and “Right On Target” (notable hooks on these three as well). “One Night Is Not Enough” represents a customary ballad and “Tears Of Joy” the albums slowest and most laid back piece.

Michael O’Mara might not bring the talent of previous vocalists Perahia was worked with (Fenholt, Rock and Basauri) but performs capably nonetheless. With a gritty (and at times soulful) mid-ranged vocal style, he kind of reminds of Basauri, but with nowhere near the abundant range. As a matter of fact, I am tempted to described O’Mara as a “poor man’s Basauri”- in other words very good but not quite great. At this point it must be mentioned that the bluesy nature of the material on Chapter One leads me to believe the album was written with Basauri in mind; hence, it only makes sense to bring in a vocalist who takes a similar or “like” approach.

Joshua Perahia proves in no uncertain terms a blues based environment is his natural element (just check out the spicy lead work he imbues “Steady Weapon”, “It Must Be Love” and “Steady Weapon”). A more fiery touch is reflected in his playing, on the other hand, on “Long Way To Heaven” and “Right On Target”. And as previously mentioned, this ranks with the heaviest projects from Perahia to date, which, of course, is testament to his bountiful work on rhythm guitar.

Production values might be a bit “dry” but otherwise serve to bring out the best in the bands melodic based hard rocking sound.

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Joshua Perahia - Chapter One (1995) [Reissue 2001]

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Joshua Perahia - Chapter One (1995) [Reissue 2001]

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