D’Luna – ‘Monster’ (2024) – Album Review (The Jeff Scott Soto Series)

If you’ve followed along when I did the Jeff Scott Soto Series, you will notice a trend where Jeff can’t say no. If a friend of his asks him to sing on their album, he usually says yes, even when he shouldn’t. Is this project one he should’ve said NO!? Let’s find out.

Guitarist, Dave Deluna, is the namesake behind the D’Luna name. This is his album, his concept, his everything…well, Jeff Scott Soto does contribute to the song writing as well, but this is Dave’s baby. I am not familiar with Dave at all before this album and the only reason I know about it is because of Soto as if you can’t tell from the number of reviews I’ve done on Jeff from the list at the bottom, I’m a big fan.

The rest of the band consists of Philip Bynoe (bass), Dan Meyers (keyboards), Oren Halmut (drums) and occasional guests on certain songs. And if you need to describe the style of music on this album, it would be heavy! Heavy guitars, heavy drums, heavy bass and straight up heavy rock. Throw Jeff in the mix and all should be right with the world…right???

The album definitely starts out strong with the title track “Monster”. Nasty riffs, with an almost Vai-esque style to it (for a brief moment at least). Jeff’s vocals are strong, intense and serious. But there is a cool surprise with this one as it also features King’s X, Dug Pinnick, on vocals with Jeff. The two make a powerful force. The guitar work on this one is solid, no denying that my only complaint is the solo doesn’t match the song really.

Next up is “Zombie” with it’s Eastern style musical opening that turns into a banging rocker with some style changes throughout. A little all over-the-place. But with “Rabbit Hole” we get a more melodic hard rock track that fits Jeff’s vocals better and the song overall is better. A dramatic, bombastic opening, a catchy chorus with layers of Soto backing himself up and a solid track.

More hard pounding drums open “Believe in Love” and Jeff sings more reservedly to open the song but it short-lived as the song explodes and so does Soto. More sinister guitar sounding and a melodic chorus and a decent solo as well. Not a bad track, but not the best on here either. Now, we get a more metal track with “One Voice” as the riffs are nastier and even harder sounding. However, the song is a little dull overall and doesn’t hold your attention despite the heaviness being rammed down your throat.

“1-2-3” shakes things up as it seems to be a little more funky, more like Soto’s solo stuff than the rest of this album. For me, that causes a problem as it doesn’t fit with the rest of the album, but it is one of the more cooler, likable songs on the album. I don’t think this is Soto solo album, but this would be great on it if it was. “Witness” takes down to a more softer side of the band and even throws in some orchestration. As close to a ballad as you are going to get on this album and another winner. Jeff does ballads better than most people.

“Blink of an Eye” brings the heavy back in a big way and also brings the dullness back too. “One Truth” gives some good percussion work and the song seems to be a little more laid back until its not and the energy level goes full blast. Some interesting things going on with drums and guitar riffs, but seems a little messy overall. And finally, we close out with “Blackened Heart” and it leaves me wanting the album to be over. It is probably the most dull one on here for me. I forget it the moment it is over. Not the best way to end the album.

To answer the question if Jeff should’ve said no…well…probably but it isn’t the worst album he’s been on. This one is definitely better than the Art of Anarchy album I reviewed last week with Jeff. This album does fit Jeff’s vocals better, but the songs aren’t really there. However, I could see some people liking this one It isn’t a bad album, I’m real picky when it comes to albums that Jeff is on that aren’t an actual band of Jeff’s or a solo album. I haven’t mentioned Dave Deluna much on guitar and that is because there was nothing real distinguishable about his playing. Yeah, it was good. But it was just…there. I know I’m being harsh, but there is a reason it took me a year to review Art of Anarchy and D’Luna, they don’t do anything for me. I hoped some time with them would help, but it didn’t. My Overall Score is a 3.0 out of 5.0 Stars as there are some good songs on here, just had a lot of misfires as well. This one is more of an angry puppy than a Monster though.

THE JEFF SCOTT SOTO SERIES:

1. Panther – ‘Panther’ (1986) – recorded in 1984
2. Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force – ‘Rising Force’ (1984)
3. Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force – ‘Marching Out’ (1985)
4. Kuni – ‘Lookin’ For Action’ (1988)
5. Kryst the Conqueror – ‘Deliver Us From Evil’ (1989) / ‘Soldiers of Light: The Complete Recordings (2019)
6. Eyes – ‘Eyes’ (1990)
7. Eyes – “Nobody Said It Was Easy” (1990) – 7″ Single – Bonus Edition
8. Talisman – ‘Talisman’ (1990)
9. Talisman – “I’ll Be Waiting” (1990) – 7″ Single – Bonus Edition
10. Skrapp Mettle – ‘Sensitive’ (1991)
11. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Eternal Prisoner’ (1992)
12. Bakteria – ‘Deficate! Suffocate! Mutilate! Masturbate!’ (1992 / 2009)
13. Eyes – ‘Windows of the Soul’ (1993)
14. Talisman – ‘Genesis’ (1993)
15. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘The Ballads’ (1993)
16. Biker Mice From Mars – ‘Biker Mice From Mars (Soundtrack)’ (1993)
17. Takara – ‘Eternal Faith’ (1993)
18. Talisman – ‘5 Out Of 5 (Live in Japan)’ (1994)
19. Talisman – ‘Humanimal’ (1994)
20. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Between the Walls’ (1994)
21. Gary Schutt – ‘Sentimetal’ (1994)
22. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Love Parade’ (1994)
23. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Made in Germany (Live)’ (1995)
24. Takara – ‘Taste of Heaven’ (1995)
25. Talisman – ‘Life’ (1995)
26. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Black Moon Pyramid’ (1996)
27. Human Clay – ‘Human Clay’ (1996)
28. Talisman – ‘Best of’ (1996)
29. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Magic’ (1997)
30. Human Clay – ‘U4IA’ (1997)
31. Boogie Knights – ‘Welcome to the Jungle Boogie’ (1997)
32. Takara – ‘Blind in Paradise’ (1998)
33. Talisman – ‘Truth’ (1998)
34. ‘Rock Star: Music from the Motion Picture (Soundtrack)’ – Various Artists (2001)
35. Humanimal – ‘Humanimal’ (2002)
36. Humanimal – Find My Way Home: Limited Edition E.P. (2002)
37. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Holding On E.P.’ (2002)
38. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Prism’ (2002)
39. Talisman – ‘Live at Sweden Rock Festival’ (2002)
40. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘JSS Live at the Gods 2002’ (2003)
41. Talisman – ‘Cats & Dogs’ (2003)
42. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Believe in Me E.P.’ (2004
43. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Lost in the Translation’ (2004)
44. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Live at the Queen Convention 2003’ (2004)
45. Soul SirkUS – ‘World Play’ (2004/2005)
46. Talisman – ‘Five Men Live’ (2005)
47. Talisman – ‘World’s Best Kept Secret DVD (2005)
48. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Essential Ballads’ (2006)
49. Journey – ‘Live from Atlanta (Bootleg)’ (2006)
50. Talisman – ‘7’ (2006)
51. Talisman – The Albums Ranked Worst to First
52. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘B-Sides’ (2006)
53. Redlist – ‘Ignorance’ (2007)
54. Jeff Scott Soto – LA Rocks Demo / Vinnie Vincent Demo 1988 (2008)
55. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Beautiful Mess’ (2009)
56. Jeff Scott Soto – “21st Century” / “Gin & Tonic Sky” CD Single (2009) – Bonus Edition
57. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘One Night in Madrid’ (2009)
58. Trans-Siberian Orchestra – ‘Night Castle’ (2009)
59. W.E.T. – ‘W.E.T.’ (2009)
60. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Live at Firefest 2008’ (2010)
61. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Damage Control’ (2012)
62. W.E.T. – ‘Rise Up’ (2013)
63. W.E.T. – ‘One Live in Stockholm’ (2014)
64. Jeff Scott Soto – The Authorized Biography (2014)
65. SOTO – ‘Inside the Vertigo’ (2015)
66. Joel Hoekstra’s 13 – Dying to Live (2015)
67. SOTO – ‘Divak’ (2016)
68. Sons of Apollo – ‘Psychotic Symphony’ (2017)
69. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Retribution’ (2017)
70. W.E.T. – ‘Earthrage’ (2018)
71. SOTO – ‘Origami’ (2019)
72. Sons of Apollo – ‘Live With the Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony’ (2019)
73. Sons of Apollo – ‘MMXX’ (2020)
74. Talisman – “Never Die (A Song For Marcel)” – 7″ Single (2020)
75. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Live and Loud in Milan 2019’ (2020)
76. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Wide Awake (In My Dreamland)’ (2020)
77. SOTO – ‘Revision’ (2020)
78. W.E.T. – ‘Retransmission’ (2021)
79. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘The Duets Collection, Vol. 1’ (2021)
80. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Complicated’ (2022)
81. Jeff Scott Soto – The Solo Albums Ranked Worst to First
82. Ellefson/Soto – ‘Vacation in the Underworld’ (2022)
83. Slam – Slam (2023)
84. Art of Anarchy – ‘Let There Be Anarchy’ (2024)
85. D’Luna – ‘Monster’ (2024)
86. Jeff Scott Soto – ALL THE ALBUMS Ranked Worst to First
87. Jeff Scott Soto / Jason Bieler – Live In Concert (2022) – Bonus Edition
88. Jeff Scotto Soto / Jason Bieler – Live in Concert (2023) – Bonus Edition