RED ZONE RIDER red zone rider KICP1711

A Power Trio’s Blues-Rock Odyssey: Red Zone Rider (KICP 1711)

Today’s entry spotlights a high-caliber collaboration between three veterans of the hard rock scene. We are looking at the self-titled debut album from Red Zone Rider, released in Japan on September 24, 2014, via the Nexus label (King Records) with the catalog number KICP 1711. This particular copy includes the original obi strip.

Assembled by legendary Shrapnel Records producer Mike Varney, Red Zone Rider features a formidable lineup: guitar virtuoso Vinnie Moore (UFO, solo), soulful vocalist and bassist Kelly Keeling (MSG, Baton Rouge), and drummer Scot Coogan (Lita Ford, Ace Frehley).

While Vinnie Moore is often associated with neo-classical shred, this album sees him diving deep into a classic, 70s-inspired blues-hard rock sound. The result is a heavy, groove-laden record that draws favorable comparisons to Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and early Whitesnake. Kelly Keeling’s vocal performance is a major highlight, offering a deep, gritty delivery reminiscent of Paul Rodgers and David Coverdale that perfectly complements Moore’s technical yet bluesy fretwork.

The album features a mix of driving rockers like Hell No and Hit The Road alongside emotive tracks such as the ballad Cloud Of Dreams.

For collectors, this Japanese edition is the definitive version to own. It includes two exclusive bonus tracks not found on standard releases:
1. Dad Man Walking: An original instrumental by Vinnie Moore.
2. Day Of The Eagle: A cover of the Robin Trower classic, where Keeling’s vocals are praised for their uncanny resemblance to the legendary James Dewar.

KICP 1711 is a high-quality document of three master musicians exploring the roots of hard rock with modern precision and soul.