American 90's rockers Hardline have announced today, via Blabbermouth - a split from their longtime record label, Frontiers Records. The group, led by frontman Johnny Gioeli has been with Frontiers since it's first reunion from 2002. Now they have re-signed to SPV/Steamhammer, who currently also releases Axel Rudi Pell albums (another group that features Gioeli as lead vocalist). It's unsure what has triggered this decision, but according to Gioeli, "The time is right, not just for a new album, but also for a complete restart. not least with the support of an ambitious record company that's always been one hundred percent behind its bands."
According to the band, they are also heading into the studio to record a brand new album, their first since 2021's Heart, Mind & Soul. The new album which is currently untitled, is expected to be released sometime in spring 2026. They have also announced another European tour.
Formed in 1992 by brothers Johnny Gioeli and Joey Gioeli (formerly Johnny Law and JoJo Law from the 1980's glam rock band Brunette), Hardline started off as a supergroup that featured Journey guitarist Neal Schon, Todd Jensen on Bass and Journey drummer Deen Castronovo. Their debut album "Double Eclipse" hit # 18 in the US AOR Charts. Despite successful tours opening up for rock bands such as Extreme and Mr Big, Hardline disbanded in 1993.
They would reform in 2002 with a new line up featuring The Storm guitarist Josh Ramos on guitar, Bobby Rock on drums, Christopher Maloney on Bass and Michael T Ross on Keyboards. They performed one concert in 2002 to support the album at the ill-fated The Gods Festival in Bradford, England. The festival suffered many technical issues during Hardline's set, who were the main headliner. They came out at 1AM after 12 other bands performed ahead of them and a lot of the microphones and technical equipment malfunctioned as a result of them being on all day. Joey Gioeli retired from music in 2003 to form a new very successful technology company.
Though that did not stop the group, in 2004 it was announced that Hardline would be working on their third album, currently titled Just Add Water. After many delays, it would eventually be released in 2009 as Leaving The End Open, their only album to feature Atma Anur on drums. They did not tour for this record. The album was a surprising change of pace and featured more uptempo Pop sounding tracks and ballads with a rock twist feel.
After this Hardline went on a hiatus but returned in 2012 with a reformed line up that featured Italian members based on Johnny Gioeli's Italian-American heritage. The new line up featured Alessandro Del Vecchio on Keyboards, Thorsten Koehne on Guitars, Anna Portalupi on Bass and Francesco Jovino on drums. They released the comeback album "Danger Zone" on Double Eclipses' 20th anniversary in May 2012. The album was a smash hit and the band returned to regular live touring for the first time since The Gods Festival in 2002, and performed at Sweden Rock Festival in 2013. Regular tours followed afterwards around the US but mostly in Europe and England.
Hardline would then release several more albums. 2016's Human Nature, would also be the last album to feature longtime guitarist Josh Ramos. He left the band in 2018 and was replaced with Mario Percudani and they released the album Life in 2019. They released a new live album & DVD in support of the tour called Life Live which featured a reunion of Hardline's original drummer Deen Castronovo on some tracks.
Hardline's latest album is Heart Mind & Soul which was released in July 2021 and was met with more positive reviews and fan feedback. Percudani would leave the group in 2022.
Hardline are currently on tour throughout Europe. Currently their line up features Johnny Gioeli (vocals), Luca Princiotta (guitars), Alessandro Del Vecchio (keyboards), Anna Portalupi (bass) and Marco Di Salvia (drums)
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