The band’s follow-up to the excellent ‘Eyewitness’ album of 2003. Keyboard wizard Andre Andersen is till in the band along with vocalist John West but the rest of the line-up has changed with original drummer Kenneth Olsen returning and Marcus Jidell joining as guitarist. Despite these changes it is business as usual so far as the music is concerned although the tunes on here forge a more direct approach then a few of the curveballs served-up on the last album like ‘Wicked Lounge’.

After an orchestral intro its pedal to the metal time for ‘Break Your Chains’ with its swirling keys and manic guitar solos. This is the sort of rock song made for the live arena. ‘Not My Kind’ keeps the momento going with new boy Jidell showing he is a very accomplished player who seems to excel more at the soloing than playing chugging power chords.

The instrumental ‘SK 983’ really lets Andre Andersen off the leash and if you love playing ‘air keyboards’ you will be in seventh heaven with this little number. Again the band can do light and shade e.g. the title track taking things down a notch. Can’t go without mentioning John West, what a great singer he is for this style of pomp/power metal. No overt screaming to hide vocal deficiencies employed by some vocalist, no West’s voice is pure, unadulterated power.

Not quite as ‘instant’ as ‘Eyewitness’ but still a damn fine album and one that will certainly get repeated plays from me years down the line.

****

Review by Jason Ritchie

***** Out of this world | **** Pretty damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly