REVIEW: MARKONEE – Club of Broken Hearts

 

MARKONEE – Club of Broken Hearts (2013)

New Venture Music

With Club of Broken Hearts, their third full-length album, Italian hard rockers Markonee continue to explore the melodic side of rock and metal, drawing heavily on the sounds of the late ’80s and early ’90s. The result is an album that balances the polished, hook-driven approach of American melodic hard rock with the more distinctly European hard rock and metal tradition.

There are traces of STRYPER throughout, particularly in the melodic sensibilities and the occasional metal edge, while the influence of KISS in their hair metal era, BON JOVI and GUNS N’ ROSES is also evident. On the European side, comparisons with EUROPE, TNT, SINNER and BONFIRE are equally appropriate. These influences provide a useful reference point without making the album feel like a mere exercise in nostalgia. Markonee revisit a familiar musical era while keeping the material lively and fresh.

Although the album is primarily rooted in melodic hard rock and AOR, there are moments when the band ventures further into melodic metal territory. Some listeners may consider its predecessor, See the Thunder, the heavier release, but I hear elements on Club of Broken Hearts that suggest a stronger connection with melodic metal than on the band's earlier recordings. The balance between accessible hard rock melodies, guitar-driven arrangements and a slightly heavier approach gives the album its own character.

The production is polished, the performances are solid, and the emphasis is firmly on memorable choruses and well-constructed songs. Up-tempo rockers sit alongside power ballads, providing variety without disrupting the album's overall coherence. Markonee are not interested in reinventing the wheel, nor do they need to. They play the music they love, drawing on established influences and delivering it with conviction. There is a genuine sense of enthusiasm behind these songs, and, more importantly, their music has soul.

One particular highlight in terms of local identity is “Rock City.” Despite what the title might suggest, the song has nothing to do with RIOT. Instead, it pays tribute to the band's hometown of Bologna, adding a personal touch to an album otherwise steeped in the international language of classic melodic hard rock.

The cover artwork is another detail worth mentioning. Against a dark green background, a collection of playing cards, poker chips and a stiletto creates a casino-inspired image, while the band's name dominates the upper section in large, fiery red lettering. The handwritten-style Club of Broken Hearts title at the bottom reinforces the connection with gambling, romantic disappointment and the risks associated with both. The artwork captures the album's playful, slightly dangerous hard rock attitude, evoking a world of high stakes, broken hearts and late-night excess that fits comfortably within the genre's classic visual tradition.

Ultimately, Club of Broken Hearts is an album for those who appreciate melodic hard rock with strong ’80s foundations, memorable hooks and a touch of metal in the mix. Markonee make no attempt to conceal their influences, but neither do they sound as though they are simply going through the motions. Their affection for this music is apparent throughout, and that sincerity makes the album an enjoyable addition to the European melodic hard rock scene.

Nick Parastatidis