''Leaving the End Open'' is the third studio album by the American rock group Hardline. This is their first album since 2002's '' II''. The new line up for the album features two new band members, Jamie Brown on bass guitar and Atma Anur on drums. The album was released on April 17, 2009 in the UK and it was released in the USA on May 2, 2009. Japanese guitarist and video game musician Jun Senoue from Gioeli's other band, Crush 40, is listed as a special guest on the song "Before This," where he is credited for the guitar solo.

Background

The album was called "Just Add Water" when it was in the works for seven years, beginning in 2004, but Johnny Gioeli gave the title tentatively while planning a different title. During early development in 2004,

Rudy Sarzo Rodolfo Maximiliano Sarzo Lavieille Grande Ruiz Payret y Chaumont (born November 18, 1950) is a Cuban American hard rock/ heavy metal bassist. He remains best known for his work with Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, and Whitesnake, and has also played ...

was slated to record bass, as suggested by Michael T. Ross, but was unable to contribute due to a busy schedule consisting of touring with

Yngwie Malmsteen Yngwie Johan Malmsteen ( ; born Lars Johan Yngve Lannerbäck, 30 June 1963) is a Swedish guitarist. He first became known in the 1980s for his neoclassical playing style in heavy metal, and has released 22 studio albums in a career spanning ov ...

and

Ronnie James Dio Ronald James Padavona (July 10, 1942 – May 16, 2010), known professionally as Ronnie James Dio, was an American heavy metal singer. He fronted and founded numerous bands throughout his career, including Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio and H ...

. Joey Gioeli had also planned to contribute lyrics and rhythm guitar, but seemingly retired from the music industry to manage the Gioeli brothers' companies full-time. ''Leaving the End Open'' is the last of Hardline's albums produced by veteran studio man Bob Burch, as well as featuring keyboardist Michael T. Ross. Eight known songs were to be included on the album, as revealed in 2006: "My Heart," "Hold On," a demo originally recorded by Hardline's predecessor, Brunette, "Hole in My Head," "Save Me," "Falling Rain," "Looking at the World," "I Surrender," and "What If." "Hole In My Head" is the only aforementioned song that is confirmed to have been included on the final release. "I Surrender" would go on to be released on Hardline's seventh album, ''Heart, Mind and Soul'', in 2021.

Track listing

All songs by Johnny Gioeli and Josh Ramos, except where noted.

Personnel

Band

* Johnny Gioeli - Vocals *Josh Ramos - Guitars *Michael T. Ross - Keyboards *Jamie Brown - Bass *Atma Anur - Drums

Background

Track listing

Personnel

Band

Guests

Charts

References