Tony Mitchell – ‘Immortalis’

(AOR Blvd Records)

There are some albums that demand your attention, and then there are albums that simply make you feel good. Immortalis the latest offering from Tony Mitchell, firmly belongs in the latter category. This is melodic rock with a big, warm heart, packed with uplifting melodies, feel-good energy, memorable hooks and those gloriously infectious choruses that somehow have you singing along loud enough for the whole world to hear.

Tony Mitchell has been around the melodic rock block a few times, of course, with a career that stretches back to his days with Kiss Of The Gypsy and beyond. His distinctive voice has become a familiar presence within the genre, and Immortalis feels like the work of a musician who knows exactly what makes a great melodic rock record tick. The album is a substantial collection, containing thirteen songs and around an hour of music, giving Mitchell plenty of room to explore different sides of his musical personality.

And what a wonderfully positive musical journey it is.

The first thing that grabs you is the sheer accessibility of the songwriting. Mitchell has an obvious knack for melody, but more importantly, he understands that melodic rock isn't simply about having a catchy guitar riff or throwing a huge chorus into the mix. The songs need personality, emotion and that elusive quality that makes you want to press play again as soon as the album finishes. Immortalis has that quality in abundance.

This is Feel Good Rock in the very best sense of the phrase.

There's an uplifting spirit running throughout the record that is impossible to ignore. Even when Mitchell explores more reflective or emotionally charged territory, there is generally a sense of hope shining through the darkness. It gives the album a wonderfully human quality. This isn't music that wallows; it's music that reaches out, grabs you by the shoulders and tells you that things are going to be alright.

And let's talk about those choruses.

Those choruses!

If you are somebody who loves melodic rock because of the sheer joy of belting out a huge refrain at completely inappropriate volume, then you're going to have an absolute blast with this record. Mitchell repeatedly delivers the sort of hooks that burrow into your brain after a couple of listens and refuse to leave. Before long, you're joining in, whether you know all the words or not. Frankly, that's exactly what great melodic rock should do.

The production also gives the album plenty of muscle without sacrificing its melodic heart. Guitars provide the necessary crunch, while keyboards add colour and atmosphere around the arrangements. There is a pleasing balance between the harder-edged rock elements and the smoother, more polished AOR sensibilities. Mitchell has surrounded himself with some excellent musicians too, including Paul Hume on lead guitar, George Williams handling keyboards, Hammond and orchestration, Eddie Antony on drums and backing vocals, and TEN's Darrel Treece-Birch contributing piano, keyboards and synths. Additional backing vocals, saxophone and gospel choir contributions further broaden the sonic palette.

That additional instrumentation is particularly effective because Immortalis never feels like a sterile, overly polished AOR exercise. There is warmth here. There is soul. There is a sense of musicians actually enjoying themselves and allowing the arrangements to breathe.

Vocally, Mitchell remains one of those singers who immediately sounds like himself. His delivery has character rather than simply being technically impressive, and that's important. You can have all the range in the world, but if a singer doesn't make you believe what they're singing, it ultimately counts for little. Mitchell brings plenty of emotion and conviction to these performances, moving comfortably between the rockier material and the more heartfelt moments.

Another strength is the album's sense of variety. Although melodic rock is the foundation, Mitchell isn't afraid to wander outside the boundaries occasionally. There are harder-edged moments, softer passages, richer orchestration and soulful touches, giving the record a broader musical identity.

Yet despite that variety, the record never loses its central identity. The melodies remain king.

There is also something particularly appealing about the overall positivity of Immortalis. In a musical world where darker and heavier is often considered automatically better, it is refreshing to encounter an album that isn't afraid to put a smile on your face. This is music for driving with the windows down. Music for turning up ridiculously loud. Music for singing along to while completely ignoring anyone within earshot. Most importantly, it feels sincere.

Immortalis isn't trying to reinvent melodic rock. It doesn't need to. Tony Mitchell understands the genre, understands songwriting and, crucially, understands the emotional connection that great rock music can create. The result is an album that celebrates melody, musicianship and the simple pleasure of hearing a bloody good chorus arrive at exactly the right moment.

For fans of melodic rock and AOR, there is plenty here to enjoy. But even beyond the genre faithful, Immortalis has that rare quality of being genuinely uplifting. It leaves you feeling better than you did when you started listening.

And surely that's what music is supposed to do.

Tony Mitchell has delivered a big, melodic, heartfelt and gloriously infectious slice of Feel Good Rock. Turn it up, sing along and don't worry about what the neighbours think.

Mitchell kicks things off with an upbeat, feel-good rocker that immediately sets the tone for Immortalis. ‘Living For The Weekend’ has plenty of energy, a strong melodic foundation and the kind of chorus that practically demands to be sung along with. Tony Mitchell sounds completely at home here, delivering a confident vocal performance over a polished arrangement. A cracking opener.

There’s a slightly more reflective feel to this one, but the melody remains wonderfully accessible. ‘Beautiful Mistake’ balances emotional subject matter with a bright, polished rock sound, while Mitchell brings plenty of warmth and character to the vocal. The chorus is another real highlight, giving the song an instantly memorable quality.

This is melodic rock with a touch of soul and plenty of personality. The arrangement has a lively sense of movement, while Mitchell’s expressive delivery gives the song real charm. There’s an irresistible quality to the hook, making ‘Heart Made Me Do It’ one of those tracks that becomes more enjoyable with every listen.

The title track arrives with a suitably grand sense of purpose. ‘Immortalis’ feels like a statement song, combining strong guitars, an expansive arrangement and a vocal performance packed with conviction. The melody is powerful without becoming overblown, and the chorus gives the album one of its most memorable moments.

A beautifully melodic number with a classic rock sensibility running through it. ‘Lady Jane’ allows Mitchell to show a more emotional side, while the arrangement remains polished and accessible. There’s a timeless quality to the songwriting here, with a chorus that feels both familiar and fresh. A classy performance.

‘The Traveller’ has a real sense of movement and adventure. It combines a steady, driving rhythm with another strong vocal melody, creating a song that feels uplifting without losing its emotional depth. Mitchell delivers the lyrics with conviction, and the arrangement gives the track plenty of momentum.

There’s genuine warmth and feeling at the heart of this one. ‘When We Were Brothers’ has a reflective quality, but it never becomes overly sombre, thanks to its uplifting melody and beautifully delivered chorus. Mitchell’s vocal performance is particularly heartfelt here, giving the song a strong emotional connection.

A slightly moodier and more atmospheric moment, ‘Cellar’ adds some welcome variety to the album. The guitars have a little more bite, while the vocal delivery remains melodic and expressive. It’s a song with character, balancing darker shades with the polished songwriting that defines Immortalis.

Time to lift the mood again! ‘Gonna Take A Miracle’ is an infectious, feel-good rocker with a chorus that sticks immediately. The rhythm has plenty of bounce, the guitars sound bright and energetic, and Mitchell delivers the song with an easy confidence. This is melodic rock designed to put a smile on your face.

‘Funky Feeling’ as the title suggests, this one brings a little extra groove to the album. It has a lively, upbeat character and gives Mitchell the opportunity to show a more playful side. The arrangement is full of movement, while the melody remains strong and accessible. A thoroughly enjoyable change of pace.

This is one of the album’s more passionate moments. ‘Heart Of Fire’ combines muscular guitars with an emotionally charged vocal performance, building towards another big, memorable chorus. There’s plenty of energy here, but the song also has real heart, making it a standout moment on the record.

A confident and uplifting song about identity and self-belief. ‘Who I Am’ has a strong sense of purpose, with Mitchell delivering the lyrics in a convincing and personal style. The melody is instantly accessible, while the chorus provides another excellent sing-along moment. Positive, polished and thoroughly engaging.

We close the album with another energetic, hook-filled rocker. ‘Stop Me Now’ brings Immortalis to a lively conclusion, combining driving guitars, a confident vocal and a chorus that leaves a lasting impression. It’s an upbeat finale that captures the album’s melodic, optimistic spirit perfectly.

Immortalis is exactly the kind of album that reminds me why I love melodic rock. Tony Mitchell has delivered a wonderfully uplifting collection packed with big melodies, heartfelt performances and choruses that practically demand to be screamed back at the speakers. There’s enough guitar muscle to keep the rock fans happy, plenty of emotion to give the songs real depth, and more than enough hooks to have you singing along before you even realise it. This is Feel Good Rock at its finest, positive, infectious and impossible to listen to without cracking a smile. An album that deserves to be played loud, played often and shared with anyone who appreciates great melodic songwriting. Absolutely bloody brilliant!

9/10

Essential Track – ‘Beautiful Mistake’

Review by Woody