Jeff Scott Soto | Complicated Review

By Griff Stevens

Jeff Scott Soto has the vocal chops to sing anything from Heavy Metal to Funk to AOR to Pop. JSS began his professional musical career by singing with the Swedish guitar sensation Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s ‘Rising Force’ in 1984, at the age of eighteen. JSS has been building a name for himself through many acts and projects culminating in his own successful solo career. JSS formed a new supergroup with Neal Schon of ‘Journey,’ Virgil Donati, and Marco Mendoza called ‘Soul SirkUS,’ which, in turn, led to him fronting the legendary American band ‘Journey’ between 2006 and 2007. Soul SirkUS released their one and only debut album, World Play, in 2005, following on from Soto’s first three solo albums, Love Parade, Prism, and Lost In The Translation. During the summer of 2012, Soto toured as a part of the successful ‘Queen Extravaganza’ across North America (at the request of ‘Queen’s drummer, Roger Taylor), and then he was back on the road with TSO for their winter tour. Jeff Scott Soto’s eighth official studio album is Complicated, released on May 6, 2022, and features eleven new songs Fabrizio Sgattoni on guitar, Alessandro Del Vecchio on bass keyboards, backing vocals, and Edu Cominato on drums.

“Last to Know” features JSS bringing his vocal presence to a heavy metal selection that will grab your attention. Having to front a powerhouse band with Malmsteen’s fiery guitar skills at a young age certainly taught him how to project confidence and a commanding vocal presence. JSS handles the melody admirably as the band delves into a heavy metal-styled selection with impressive guitar playing by Sgattoni. Indeed, rock and metal aficionados will find that these two are like a match made in Heaven, as the guitar and singing are excellent on this track.

“Love is the Revolution” is a powerful song with a positive message. JSS sounds impassioned about the lyrics, and the band provides the energy to back it up. The song’s form is all heavy metal, and the chorus is big with full backing vocals. Extra brownie points to the guitar solo that really captures the vibes of the tune in a melodic manner. JSS delivers an impressive vocal range too.

Complicated puts this vocalist extraordinaire into various settings where he delivers on hard-rocking tracks with tremendous energy and easily switches to a powerful presentation on epic ballads. Heavy metal fans will want to explore Complicated.