Europe are back with their follow-up to 'Start From The Dark' which gained mixed reviews due to its heavier, darker nature and some fans of the band's 80's output were less than impressed.

This album carries on from where 'Start' left off with big guitar riffs and very few keyboards in the mix.

Strangely the opener, the title track, is one of the weakest tracks and the instantly catchy 'The Getaway Plan' or 'Human After All' (Europe do Audioslave!) may have been better openers. The latter is one of the few tracks where Mic Michaeli's keys get a quick flash of the limelight.

You have to give the album a fair few listens as it is a grower and not an instant hit. For that lighter-in-the-air moment 'A Mother's Son' hits the spot and is the only big ballad on here. Only 'Forever Travelling' has you hitting the skip button - very poor by this band's high standards.

A natural successor to their last album and the band are obviously comfortable with their sound, although like any band with a long history fans of their earlier work may again be disappointed. Hard edged melodic rock and streets ahead of contemporary bands like Audioslave and Alter Bridge, whose fans should check this album out. A good, solid album but not a classic.

***½

Review by Jason Ritchie

Interview

Feature (2020 update)

We chatted to Joey Tempest in February 2007 before the band's gig at Liverpool Academy