(Hard Rock, Progressive Metal) D.C. Cooper - D.C. Cooper - 1998, MP3, 320 kbps

He started out playing in several area bands and touring the local club circuit in Pittsburgh while he studied singing under renowned opera coach Charlotte Coleman. His first thrust into the international spotlight was as a finalist to be Rob Halford's replacement in Judas Priest. Having created a buzz at the auditions, he found himself with offers to sing for many European and American bands. He selected Royal Hunt after much deliberation and officially joined the band on December 26, 1994.

After 4 years with Royal Hunt, Cooper was suddenly and unexpectedly fired from the band, which he discovered by reading the announcement on their website.For his next project, a solo album that he began in 1998, he enlisted the help of musicians from many well known bands (among them guitarist Tore Ostby of Conception, and members of Pink Cream 69). He released D. C. Cooper in 1999.

After a successful tour, Cooper formed a new band with former Sinner guitarist Alex Beyrodt called Silent Force. They have released four studio albums of their own.

When Cooper is not on tour, he can frequently be found volunteering as a firefighter in his home state of Pennsylvania. Cooper is married to Michelle Cooper, and has two sons, Clayton (b.2003) and Carson (b.2005).

DC Cooper recently recorded guest vocals for Australian progressive metal act Voyager (metal band) for their forthcoming release. In 2011 he reformed with Royal Hunt and did a Japan tour with the band. Later the same year it was announced that Cooper will make a new record with the band.

This 1998 self-titled release is the first solo release from former Royal Hunt (and current Silent Force) frontman D.C. Cooper. I've been a big fan of DC's work since I first heard him on the first Explorers' Club disc (1998's Age of Impact), but this is the disc that put DC at the top of my favorite vocalists list.

This album is a throwback to the late 80's, when melodic metal was king and flashy frontmen got all the attention. In fact, if this disc was released 10 years earlier, DC Cooper would likely have been as big a star as David Coverdale (or at least Mike Tramp). Working with some of the brightest stars of melodic rock and metal, including guitar wizard Tore Ostby (Conception), keyboardist Gunter Werno (Vanden Plas), and Pink Cream 69 bassist/producer Dennis Ward, Cooper has put together an amazing album of melodic hard rock/heavy metal that is impressive from start to finish. It's less progressive and keyboard dominated than Royal Hunt and less like Judas Priest than his work with Silent Force. Picture Under Lock and Key-era Dokken with smarter lyrics, just the right amount of keyboards, and soaring, powerful vocals. The guitar work is almost as impressive as the vocals. Ostby's solo on "Freedom", in particular, is a thing of beauty.

This isn't an easy disc to classify, but it is extremely easy to listen to...over and over again. It has a good mix of heavier songs as well as some really powerful ballads, but all of the songs immediately impact you in a way few albums manage to do these days. Highlights...honestly the whole album qualifies, but my favorite songs are "Freedom", "Union" and "Within Yourself". The cover of the Uriah Heep classic "Easy Livin'" is also a lot of fun.

In the decade since I first purchased it, this album remains my favorite DC Cooper release, and has become one of my all time favorite albums. This is a must-have for fans of DC's work with Royal Hunt and Silent Force, and is also recommended for anyone who enjoys melodic rock and metal. Now, if only DC would get started on a sequel!

D. C. Cooper – vocals and backing vocals
Alfred Koffler – guitars
Tore Østby – guitars
Dennis Ward – bass guitar and backing vocals
Kosta Zafiriou – drums
Gunter Werno – keyboards
Sandy Campos – backing vocals
David Readman – backing vocals
Caroline Wolf – backing vocals