1. Ang3ls (Help Us)
2. Alone I Cry
3. Shelter Me Form The Rain
4. Tell Me Why
5. Every Time It Rains (Instrumental)
6. Strange Ang3ls
7. To Live Again
8. Save Your Prayers
9. Eden Is Burning
10. So Far Form Heaven

David Mark Pearce is a guitarist, songwriter, sound engineer and producer from Cornwall, UK.

David’s band affiliations include the British melodic rock band Union Jane and the Cornwall based group Naked Feet.

He’s most known for his work with Yes keyboard player Oliver Wakeman (Rick's son) as stable member of his band, recording 4 albums and a live DVD.

He also gets credit for his contribution to Arjen Lucassen’s Stream Of Passion project.

David wrote and recorded his own EP, Shelter Me From The Rain in 2007, and more recently, he co-produced and was sound engineer, also providing guitar support, for keyboard player Lisa LaRue on her album Lisa LaRue Project 2K9 World Class which was released in 2009.

But now it's time for his own solo full length album Strange Ang3ls.

The first thing that really impresses is the line-up: Göran Edman (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum and Talisman amongst others) and John Payne (Asia) on vocals, C S Brown (Ghost Circus) on bass and Mikael Wikman (ex- Vindictiv) on drums, with a special guest appearance by Oliver Wakeman on keys.

The second: the quality of the material on offer and the good production.

After the short intro "Ang3ls (Help Us)", the album explodes into a classic hard rocker with "Alone I Cry". This is a very melodic song with classy keyboards, where David proves his abilities as a guitarist with a great playing and terrific guitar sound. Göran Edman shines as usual with his unique voice.

"Shelter Me From The Rain" fits more in the melodic rock section, with a nice chorus.

"Tell Me Why" is the first track featuring John Payne from Asia on vocals. We can hear some progressive tones here but still always sounding 'classic rock'. Great riffs, vintage keyboards and an extended guitar solo makes this song one of the highlights.

"Every Time It Rains" is a very interesting instrumental where Pearce plays an arsenal of solos with taste and melody.

On the title track "Strange Ang3ls" Goran returns. This song has a lite neo-classical scent and reminds me of time when Yngwie used to make good songs.

"To Live Again" features the best Payne vocal on this album. A classic rock song with a great chorus, catchy and melodic.

"Save Your Prayers" is a mid-tempo ballad with nice keyboard arrangement, superb vocals by Edman (again) and a 'sustain' guitar solo.

"Eden Is Burning" rocks and last track, the quicker "So Far From Heaven" adds again a progressive touch, specially by the keyboards and Payne's performance.

Strange Ang3ls is surely a record that AOR lovers should try. In particular the guitar work stands out.

David Mark Pearce has class and acquired taste on the six strings, always contributing to the song skeletons with precise arpeggios & solos.

As mentioned, good mix and production (except on some parts where the drums are a bit thin), with a rich and fully rounded overall sound.

Recommended.

Line up:
Göran Edman - Lead Vocals 
John Payne (Asia) - Lead Vocals 
David Mark Pearce - Guitars
C S Brown (Ghost Circus) - Bass
Lisa LaRue - Keyboards, Bkg Vocals
Mikael Wikman (ex- Vindictiv) - Drums
Oliver Wakeman - Guest Keyboards

www.davidmarkpearce.com