Ten are back and with a reduced line-up as long serving bass player Steve McKenna has left the band and strangely new drummer Lee Morris (ex-Paradise Lost) does not play in the album, instead it is session man Frank Basile.

Music wise it is your typical classic Ten album sound - plenty of orchestration, big power ballads ('This Heart Goes On' is a certifiable classic of the genre) and the emotive vocals of Gary Hughes.

Chris Francis and John Halliwell keep the guitar riffs coming, whilst Paul Hodson adds keyboard flourishes where needed.

Album highlight is the epic opener 'The Prologue/Rome', which kicks off with a big cinematic orchestral sweep before the guitar riffs kick in nicely on 'Rome'.

Gary Hughes is on top form vocally, really adding emotion to the aforementioned ballad 'This Heart Goes On' and 'Oblivion'.

Fans of the band certainly won't be disappointed especially as the band's epic sound is now fully back. Only slight cause for concern, I am not sure how many new fans they could pick up with this album unless they get some airplay.

Ten kept the melodic rock flag flying in the lean years of the 90's and it is great to see the band still on top of their game.

****

Review by Jason Ritchie