Guitar driven melodic hard rockers, Jaded Heart release their 8th studio album, Sinister Mind, their second on the Frontiers label also number two as with Johan Fahlberg handling vocal duties. Maybe slightly more metal than the Borman era, with top-notch production, this is undoubtedly their strongest release, so far.

Fahlberg's vocal performance is excellent throughout, comparable to Jeff Scott Soto, both in his ability and range. Hero opens proceedings and incorporates all the album's features in abundance, with punchy riffs, harmonies to die for and a big chorus.

Title track Sinister Mind is a slightly slower affair, which smoulders, boasting some inspirational guitar playing from Peter Ostros, though still including the fantastic harmonies. Henning Wanner's keyboards, whilst still noticeable, are used subtly in the background helping gel the sound, allowing the guitars to rightly take centre stage. To Please And Give In verges on the European power metal sound and the driving guitar on closer Crush That Fear contrasts wonderfully with the rich vocals in the pleasing, quieter passages of the albums highlight track.

Chock full of vibrant AOR tinged with metal, this is a vital purchase for all hard rockers, the Borman fronted Jaded Heart weren't a patch on this! With October seeing them touring their German homeland as guests of UFO, they should be making great strides towards the recognition they deserve.

****½

Review by Dave Hunter