Been awhile since this band was last around and apart from Jeff Pilson (Dio/Dokken) I am unsure who else plays on this release. It’s got a modern vibe to the sound (bits of Foo Fighters/Nickelback in the sound mix), like the chugging riff on ‘Reflections’ and the OTT guitar solo on top (who it is I don’t know but there blummin’ good!). The title track is the sort of track Ozzy would kill for with a catchy guitar riff and some psychedelic background. Lyrically it pulls no punches as well dealing with the sensitive issue of child abuse. ‘Stranger In My Own Land’ is a September 11th influenced tune and again contains some neat guitar passages.

There are some nods to Jeff Pilson’s 80’s band Dokken in ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Breakdown’, both musically with its driving hard rock and lyrically as it deals with band egos. There were plenty of the latter in Dokken… Taking it down a notch, ‘Desperate Hearts’ is a decent mid-tempo ballad and ‘Walk Away’ is a strings/vocal only version of the old Dokken tune. Totally different from the rest of the album, showing a different side to the tune.

Must admit I wasn’t taken on the first few listens but keep at it and you’ll really discover the musical treats on this album. Good news is UK fans get to see the band in September!

Label website

****

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