The Danes are ones again back in business, this time with a very direct record that still containing all the classic elements.
The following are my favourite tracks:
Virtual Brutality flirts around with some distorted effects that work out surprisingly well. A very angry and in your face song with heavy rhythm guitar riffs and a rock tight drum attack.
I'm a big fan of Ronnie Atkins raw and striking voice, the slower mid-section sees him perform some great lines. This is in fact a very advanced and progressive sounding
Pretty Maids song that kick serious ass.
Natural High is a traditional
Pretty Maids love ballad; I must say that they have a special talent for making catchy and rocking softies. The sedative verse parts have a reassuring mood to it and the chorus has a very melodic dynamic.
Enter Forevermore has a dark and mysterious atmosphere created by some spacy keys. The relaxing guitar leads and Ronnie's all-embracing vocals are other highlights.
Playing God starts out very aggressively; a pounding bass gives it a very heavy fundament. The shift from an electric to an acoustic guitar rhythm is a cool detail and with the melodic lead section we are dealing with pure brilliance.
The album has other quite good songs and a couple not really getting up there:
He Who Never Lived has its cool aspects in some grooving parts, the powerful vocals and the skilful guitar playing. It just never becomes really interesting, partly due to a chorus line that is too tame and standard for holding the song up, not a bad song at all though.
Worthless is the other above average song that lacks that well functioning binding melody or chorus. The keyboard lays a tense mood and the acoustic guitars also sound great, but it just hasn't that driving force found in many of the other songs.
Ken Hammer throws in many really great guitar passages and variations, as in the splendid and
captivating mid-section in
Who's Gonna Change, great harmonious stuff.
Overall his nerve-filled playing shines on the whole album, not overly technical but who needs that when it's melodic and powerful. The vocals are truly outstanding and the extremely tight bass and solid drums collaborate in fine manner. The moody, sporadic and well-added keys enhance the songs and works as an interesting fifth element, so musically things are presented in a convincing way.
Length-wise I find this one in the short end, not counting the cover song we get around 38 minutes of music, not much but acceptable.
Lyrically the album lives up to the high musical standard, dealing with some important themes like the abuse of religion and science, egoism and more positive aspects found in
Natural High and the spiritual
Enter Forevermore.
All in all this a very good album, having a nice blend of melody and intensity and some really fantastic cuts.
Written by
Tommy Monday, June 14, 2004
Show all reviews by TommyRatingsTommy: 7/10Members: 6/10 - Average of 1 ratings.
Member ratings
 | Steen (Staff)
Rating: 6/10
Well, this is not my favourite Pretty Maids album. That title still belongs to Spooked.
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