CD review: Orlando band Stiletto Red’s debut CD is addicting

Orlando band Stiletto Red’s debut CD, “Her Love is a Lie” is a 10 song blast of catchy, classically styled, guitar heavy power rock, complete with bad boy attitude bleeding through the music. Gio Panagiotakis’ dynamic vocals are backed by steady, rolling drums, throbbing basslines and ear-catching guitar solos. While playing it for the first time, the listener won’t want the current song to end but yet can’t wait to hear what’s coming next.

The CD opens with the edgy “Into the Night” leaving no doubt this is a power rock album. On “Out of My Head” the rhythm section gets a workout with the prominent bassline and pounding drums throughout the song. The title track features Panagiotakis’ expressive vocals coupled with in and out guitar riffs. “Further Addiction” is a soaring ballad with a screaming guitar solo.

Stiletto Red "Out Of My Head"Stiletto Red "Out Of My Head"

The energy on “Bigger Man” escalates with surging guitars and soaring vocals to the climactic end. “Hey You” is dark and intense. Both “Ending of Days” and “World on Fire” are a challenge to anyone who tries to listen to music while sitting still. “My Life” has so much going on that it takes a few listens to appreciate all the combined action from the hard edged vocals, frantic guitars, driving bass rhythms and the slamming drums. The shifting, twisting sounds of “When You’re Gone” close out the CD.

“Her Love is a Lie” is terrific debut effort for Stiletto Red, most bands would be proud to release a CD like this at any stage in their careers. The band’s high-energy, ultra-catchy power rock music can draw in fans from multiple genres and will keep them addicted to the music. The official international release date for “Her Love is a Lie” is February 17, but music fans can currently stream all tracks from the CD on the band’s Soundcloud page.

Stiletto Red is Gio Panagiotakis (vocals), Jared Grey (rhythm guitar), Angel Graves (lead guitar), Sean St. John (drums) and Ryan Salamone (bass). Music fans can follow the local Orlando band on their Facebook page, Reverbnation profile and Twitter feed. The band has upcoming shows on Feb. 2 at Frank’s Front Row in Daytona Beach, Feb. 15 at The Haven in Orlando and Feb. 21 at Octave in St. Petersburg.