Album Review by EDF
As I’ve stated in previous reviews regarding heavy metal releases, at a time when Nu-metal is looking a bit old and tired, Heavy Metal is coming back thanks to reissues of Gary Moore albums, a comprehensible Whitesnake compilation and Metallica taking a leap back to their old sound. If you love melodic heavy metal, we have this offering straight out of the US from Ken Tamplin and some friends he managed to rope in.
Ken has been recording since the late 1980’s, starting with SHOUT and eventually going solo in 1990. On occasion, he has drifted in and out of a reformed SHOUT and other bands such as MAGDALLAN. For this release, we find Ken in fine company as he has surrounded himself with a tight band and some well-known heavy metal guitarist who guest spot on the solos. It has been noted that Tamplin’s vocals are a cross between Paul Rogers, Lou Gramm and David Coverdale.
Here is a list of guest guitarist on the album: Reb Beach (Whitesnake/Dokken) and Marty Friedman /Guitar (Megadeth) both appear on the all to familiar 7 ELEVEN PEOPLE. We find Kee Marcello (Europe) making up for past sins on FREEDOM while the destined to be a stadium sing-a-long COME TOGETHER is accompanied by a familiar sounding solo from Whitesnake’s Doug Aldridge.
Other guitarist to note are Howie Simon (Jeff Scott Soto), Richie Kotzen (Mr. Big and Poison), Jeff Watson (Night Ranger), Pete Lesperence (Harem Scarem), Stevie Salas (The Rolling Stones), Mattias Eklundh (Freak Kitchen) and a guest vocal spot for Jeff Scott Soto (Yngwie Malmsteen).
For those who know their heavy metal guitarist, this is quite a list and this album does not disappoint at all. The solos can be fast and furious but as there is a presence of melody and harmonies, this album might actually surprise and excite fans of this genre.
