By David O’Neill
Ronnie Romero’s new live album, ‘Live At Rock Imperium Festival’, captures the Chilean-born vocalist’s commanding presence and vocal prowess in a high-energy hard rock setting. Recorded at the Spanish Rock Imperium Festival in Cartagena, one of Europe’s largest rock festivals, the album showcases a setlist predominantly drawn from Romero’s 2023 solo album ‘Too Many Lies, Too Many Masters’, alongside a couple of tracks from his work with The Ferrymen and a stirring tribute to Ronnie James Dio with ‘Rainbow In The Dark’.
The album serves as a vivid testament to Romero’s evolution as a solo artist. Unlike studio recordings, where technical perfection can sometimes overshadow emotional delivery, ‘Live At Rock Imperium Festival’ reveals Romero’s ability to blend technical skill with heartfelt expression. His voice carries both the fire and soul needed to convey the robust melodies and choruses of his recent material. Guitarist Jose Rubio complements Romero’s vocals with fiery riffs, creating a dynamic live atmosphere that, while occasionally marked by the raw edges typical of live performances, ultimately enhances the authenticity of the experience.
Romero’s setlist is a strong reflection of his artistic identity, highlighting his growth since his early days. Powerhouse tracks like ‘Castaway On The Moon’ (not to be confused with his 2022 cover of Foreigners ‘Girl On The Moon’), ‘I’ve Been Losing You’ and ‘Chased By Shadows’ exhibit relentless energy and solid songwriting as well as the vocal power he is known for.
Meanwhile he is supported by some stellar guitar solos from Jose Rubio as well as added depth of the rhythm section of Andy C (drums) and Aurelian Dinca (bass and backing vocals) are also added to by the flying keyboard fingers of Fran Gil Torres. While songs such as ‘Not Just A Nightmare’ and ‘The Last Ship’ bring a sense of liberation and urban rock flair, even if they sometimes lack the sophistication of his more polished studio work. The closing tribute to Dio underscores Romero’s deep roots in classic hard rock and metal traditions, paying homage to one of his major influences with genuine respect and passion.
I first witnessed Romero’s role in Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow in Birmingham back in 2017 and it was an impressive start to a significant part of his career narrative. His performances with Rainbow have been widely praised for capturing the spirit of the band’s classic era, particularly in live renditions of complex and iconic tracks like ‘Stargazer’ and ‘Kill The King.’ His vocal style, often compared to the legendary Ronnie James Dio, fits naturally with Rainbow’s legacy, and his ability to handle these demanding songs live has solidified his reputation as a frontman born for this material. This connection to Rainbow also informs his solo work, which often channels the same melodic hard rock and metal energy.
Additionally, ’Ferrymen’ from his work with The Ferrymen is noted as a surprise favourite among the audience, demonstrating Romero’s ability to cross between his solo material and collaborations seamlessly, adding variety and depth to the live set, which has a definite Dio-esque vocal performance.
The second time I saw Romero he appeared with Elegant Weapons at the Steelhouse Festival in 2023, joining forces with Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner. Elegant Weapons, a supergroup blending members from various metal backgrounds, allowed Romero to further demonstrate his versatility and stage charisma. It was an outstanding highlight of the weekend for many of the fans present, yours truly included. His involvement with Elegant Weapons alongside such high-profile musicians highlights his standing in the contemporary hard rock and metal scene and his ability to adapt to different band dynamics and styles.
The standout tracks from Ronnie Romero’s ‘Live At Rock Imperium Festival’ are primarily drawn from his 2023 solo album ‘Too Many Lies Too Many Masters’, with a few notable exceptions that highlight his versatility and connection to his musical roots.
‘Castaway On The Moon,’ ‘I’ve Been Losing You,’ and ‘Chased By Shadows’ open the set with relentless energy and showcase Romero’s powerful vocal delivery paired with guitarist Jose Rubio’s fiery riffs. These tracks stand out for their driving momentum and robust choruses, perfectly capturing the live atmosphere and engaging the audience with vibrant hard rock intensity.
‘Not Just A Nightmare’ and ‘The Last Ship’ are highlighted as exciting urban rock songs that, while perhaps less sophisticated in composition, bring a sense of freedom and some blistering solos in the breakdown providing liberation in the live setting. These tracks have become crowd pleasers due to their infectious energy and the raw, spontaneous feel that live performances often bring out as well as the distinctive vocal style that Romero is renowned for. The penultimate track ‘Vengeance’ from ‘Too Many Lies, Too Many Masters’ sees Andy C really letting rip on the kick drum.
A particularly significant highlight is the closing track, ’Rainbow In The Dark,’ a tribute to Ronnie James Dio. This cover not only pays homage to one of Romero’s major influences but also connects his current work with the legacy of classic hard rock and metal. It resonates strongly with fans familiar with his role in Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow and his vocal style’s Dio-inspired roots. After all, if anyone could sing like RJD I’m pretty sure they would take every opportunity to put a cover in every set they played! What an incredible encore it must have been if you were there!
Overall, these tracks stand out because they effectively showcase Romero’s vocal range, emotional expression, and the energetic chemistry with his band. The production is also excellent for a live album.
In summary, ‘Live At Rock Imperium Festival’ is a compelling live document of Ronnie Romero’s artistry, capturing the intensity and emotion that define his performances. It reflects his journey from a Rainbow frontman to a solo artist with a distinct voice and vision, while also nodding to his ongoing collaborations with prominent acts like Elegant Weapons. For fans of melodic hard rock and metal, this album offers both a celebration of Romero’s influences and a showcase of his current creative vitality.
- ‘Live At Rock Imperium Festival’ is released today (Friday 23 May).