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and huge , anthemic choruses decorated with soaring vocal harmonies . The album opener and the title track are an infectious homage to the band ’ s heavy metal heroes , which affectionately named metal gods such as ( Iron ) Maiden , ( Judas ) Priest , Manowar , and more . Riveting tracks such as “ Fight in the Night ” and “ Born in Hell ” rev up the tempo and contain some of the band ’ s finest chanted choruses ever recorded , while “ Lightning Strikes ” and “ The Tyrant Dies at Dawn ” are reliable power metal fare . The album strengthens and grows stronger as it moves along , with the exception of the closing track , “ Y . A . N . A .” With its slower pace , it ’ s , unfortunately , the most underwhelming and least interesting track on the album . However , boasting one of the most dynamic power metal singers in the game in Isfeldt is most certainly icing on the cake , with a production that is precise and pristine from Nordström , who is equally adept behind the board as he is with a guitar .
Metal Gods may not be in the same league as the band ’ s first four albums , but consistency has always been Dream Evil ’ s strongest point throughout its existence . The fact that the band is still doing what it loves to do after a quarter of a century — while still putting smiles on its
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loyal fans ’ faces — is praise enough . – Kelley Simms
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MR . BIG Ten
( Frontiers Music s . r . l .)
Well-known rockers Mr . Big are currently taking their last trek around the globe with its The Big Finish tour . However , they aren ’ t done just yet . With the release of its 10th full-length album , aptly titled Ten , the band is in fine form . After three-plus decades of musical interplay , vocalist Eric Martin , guitarist Paul Gilbert , bassist Billy Sheehan , and new drummer Nick D ’ Virgilio , send their fans off with supposedly their final recording — which also serves as a tribute to their late drummer Pat Torpey . Comprised of 10 melodic rock / blues tracks , Mr . Big seamlessly performs all of the musical escapades that have graced their previous nine albums . From the infectious , bluesy rock riffs of album opener “ Good Luck Trying ,” it ’ s easy to hear that the band hasn ’ t lost its step since its 2017 album …. The Stories We Could Tell . Mr . Big ’ s energetic ’ 70s rock influences in the vein of Led Zeppelin , Jimi Hendrix , Cream , and their ilk shine through on this track and are also found abundantly throughout the record like a welcomed friend . Martin ’ s raspy and soulful
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Mr . Big ( photo : Stephen van Baalen )
vocals are top-notch as usual , while the guitar wizardry of Gilbert and the dazzling bass technicality of Sheehan have never sounded better . However , it ’ s new drummer D ’ Virgilio who provides the vibrant spark to these new tracks . The twangy “ Right Outta Here ” contains a bouncy rhythm with tasty guitar theatrics , while the soaring vocal harmonies on the jangly “ Sunday Morning Kinda Girl ” and the Robin Trower-esque “ Who We Are ” add to the band ’ s numerous dynamics . The album closer and the ballad “ The Frame ” may not be in the same league as the band ’ s 1991 megahit “ To Be
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With You ,” but it surely displays great emotions with its vibrant guitar melodies .
The album was produced by Jay Ruston and the band . Although it ’ s injected with a lot of studio reverb , the sound is clear and vibrant , allowing every instrument a chance to shine . Whether or not Ten is indeed the band ’ s farewell album , it will certainly leave a lasting impression that will fit well within Mr . Big ’ s vast musical catalog .
– Kelley Simms
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