Regardless of the Italian's in hardline. It's always been Gioeli's project and like I said, they never had a set lineup on any album so that's why they'd be accepted over Giant.

Giant had the same lineup for 3 albums, then lose a the lead singer, guitar player, primary songwriter, keyboardist and co-writer.

Hardline:
Double Eclipse: Gioeli, Schon, Gioeli, Jensen, Castronovo
II: Gioeli, Ramos, Gioeli, Maloney, Rock, Ross
Leaving The End Open: Gioeli, Ramos, Ross, Brown, Anur

I did say they are skating a thin line but they never had a set band anyway, so as long as the voice is there, the songs retain some of the feel, I don't see them as a cover band. Giant however lost too much of what they were to be called Giant.

Other small bands that changed members and worked IMO without being "cover bands"...Baton Rouge, Tangier, Beggars & Thieves, Danger Danger, House Of Lords, Hurricane.