By Nancy Collisson
Solid rock pillar Mechanyzd stands untouched in the region primarily for lead singer Harris Dio’s crushing vocals. Dubai Eye interviewer Mark Lloyd described as ‘absolutely brilliant’ Harris’ live, on-air, back-to-back performances of music spectrum ends Whitney Houston’s ‘I Will Always Love You’ followed by ACDC’s Brian Johnson’s ‘Back in Black’ and Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant’s ‘Black Dog.’
Catalogued between the likes of such vocalist legends Harris’ repertoire swells, defined by his conquering of rock’s most epic ’70s to ’90s-era anthems and power ballads including those of Queen (Harris was honored to represent Freddie Mercury in Dubai during Hard Rock Café’s international Freddie for a Week), Bon Jovi, Foreigner, Aerosmith, Guns N’ Roses, Scorpions, Whitesnake, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Metallica, Linkin Park, Foo ighters, Black Sabbath, and more.
Coupled with his playfully sensuous but highly masculine physicality, Harris’ world-class renditions of these world-class artists make each of his appearances standing-room-only head-bangers.
Harris’ savage pipes are duly reinforced in Mechanyzd by muscled lead guitarist Shannon Beckx, whose herculean yet tensile renderings of the manifold Whole Lotta Love, Thunderstruck, Highway Star, Eruption, November Rain, Innuendo, or even guilty rhythmic reggae pleasures of Redemption Song, Three Little Birds, and Buffalo Soldier keep crowds gawkin’ and groovin’.
Lubricating the shaft of this commanding group with the fat slunk of his bass is ever-smiling bassist Gerby Dator. This dude’s Chaka Khan cool and spot on dope harmonies reveal all that anyone wants in the vibe of a versatile bassist. Ain’t nobody does it better.
Cranking the shaft of this well-oiled engine, drummer/beast Tom Vantango propels Mechanyzd with relentless intensity and accuracy, driving this power rock band to consistently conquer iconic classics, giving due honor to rock legends, while at the same time pulverizing regional competition – if there ever really was any.
