This comeback album from
Vengeance is a power packed hard rock assault that heartly borrows from
AC/DC. Even their lead singer, Leon Goewie sounds like a cross between Bon Scott and Brian Johnson. He was the original vocalist and still has what it takes to belt a great no-frills metal tune. He's got the rasp and the overall kick ass attitude down pat. The guitars from Peter Bourbon are in-your-face and like an electric rocket ride. A wicked razor edge that cuts through the songs like a hot knife. There is also quite the array of guest musicians featured too including guitarists
Wolf Hoffman and Arjen Lucassen (another past member of the band) and also Matt
Sinner from
Primal Fear doing some backing vocals. It's all housed under a production that is as tight as a drum, thanks to Michael Voss who also contributes backing vocals, guitar and is responsible for the keyboards.
"Back in the Ring" is an aggressive, partying disc that never lets up and charges through the songs with fire like a nuclear 80s explosion. The opener,
"Back in the Ring" and
"No Mercy" are freight trains of heavy metal. Crunchy and flexing with that
AC/DC rockin snarl.
"Captain Moonlight" pours out the melodic tendencies that the band flickered with in the past. This one was penned by
Paul Sabu which might have something to do with its different direction. No doubt about it though, the song sounds terrific and has some lovely guitar scattered throughout.
"Bad Attitude" dives deep into the oceans of
Krokus and
Quiet Riot and again, just lays on the guitars thick and heavy. There are some really inspiring axe slinging moments here that just make the heart soar with six string adoration.
"Now and Then" even has that hand clapping thing going that was popular a decade or so ago. It follows in the trail of
"Captain Moonlight" and is another highlight of the disc. The chorus is spiffy melodic stuff with a big bombastic feel. You can spot some
Dokken in here too from their earlier days, maybe some "Pyromania"
Def Leppard for a few seconds. Catchy and instant, just a great feel good rock song that gets trapped in the head. Definitely a sing-along belter.
The only real drawback is occasional repetitiveness in the lyrics or chorus, otherwise it is a crunchy rock ride worth taking. It seems you would be hard pressed to find someone that will NOT warm up to atleast a few of these tracks. Well produced metal that seems like a blast from the past and stands right along side all the bands they send up with a vengeance.
"Back in the Ring" is essential hard rock for anyone that misses those glory days when music was more naughty than nice. There's nothing modern or overly complex to be sorted here. Nope, this is slamming hard rock with a metal mania feel and it only takes one listen to know that they deserve to be back in the ring.
Written by
Alanna Sunday, July 2, 2006
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