Renegade - Straight To The Top (CD)

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This name shall bring you back to the 80s; at least that's what happened to me. This is name rarely a 'now happening' band would think of. Time for some 'good company' classic Metal, in other words? Staring at the CD's booklet inside (the lettering in the band's logo, too) it became not a difficult enigma to solve.
Not aware of Italian RENEGADE's so far career it was with great bliss listening to the opening track, Straight To The Top. A classic Metal song, in the DIO/SAXON or POWER CRUE (renowned Greek Metal band) likes with striking guitars, ample rhythm section, vintage sound and vocals like Dan Beehler (EXCITER) and John Gallagher (RAVEN) in one! Really, a great 80s Metal song. In the next three tracks it's not that these songs are not good but there seems to be some kind of problem in good ideas that shall stick in your mind. Some off-beat songwriting patterns someone may witness in e.g. the AC/DC-ish Really Think You're Clean? and the temper-cycled R'n'R DJ (as well as the ending tune, Tell Me What To Do).
Thankfully, I Can Live Without You is a great ballad-type track with a simple yet killer chorus and some really passionate singing by Stefano Senesi. Nasty Boys Blues has the same vibe as the opening track, in a slightly more hardrockin' attiude (hence, nasty.), while Kid The Hurricane gets even more retro in some filthy guitar sound and a British rage (a portion of THIN LIZZY influence you may trace in here) with a great solo part. Cold As Ice sees a good mid-tempo mild opus, too, with melodies in the guitars and a Euro Metal odour travelling you back to the 'honest' early 80s.
RENEGADE has released another album in 2006 called Too Hard To Die. Not aware if its blend, let's just say that RENEGADE may bring on some interest to Mediterranean 'classic' Metal fans but - in my opinion - should try even harder to have their name up-lifted in the metallic world. Still, Straight To The Top is not bad at all, and may as well prove to be a good companion for your old-fashioned taste.
P.S.: The production is not bad, still it surely miss volume in the drums sound…