Germany's top rock band Fair Warning are back with another first class album. As with the past few releases they chose to record 'Aura' in an unconventional location: an old Knight's manor.

The idea is that the location would give their music an added, erm, aura and mystic. The opening track 'Fighting For Your Love' is an absolute killer and the best kind of music this band can come up with.

The production is superb and the songwriting is some of the best work they've done so far in their career.

The first half of the album follows in a similar fashion but the second half is a bit slower yet enjoyable nonetheless: 'As Snow White Found Out' has an interesting melody and a catchy riff. With the exception of guitarist Andy Malecek, the band has the same line-up it had when it was formed in 1991: singer Tommy Heart and former Zeno bassist Ule W. Ritgen, guitarist Helge Engelke and drummer Jurgen 'C.C.' Behrens.

Heart's voice is in great shape and the proof is in the pudding: the funky 'Station To Station' show's off his great vocals and the groovy bass lines laid down by Ritgen are excellent.

'Aura' is a really good set of melodic rock songs and it's what you'd except from a talented band like Fair Warning.

***½

Review by Neil Daniels

www.neildaniels.com