Pandemonium is closing in on "Spooked" and "Carpe Diem" as one of my favorite newer Pretty Maids releases.

I always expect a new Pretty Maids release with an optimistic excitedness and I am seldom disappointed. Pandemonium is like a pleasure cruise in the vast ocean of music that Pretty Maids have released over the past 30 years. The music is old school and the album has a modern sound, resulting is a fresh and highly enjoyable experience.
 
If you're interested in a detailed Pretty Maids history then check out the entertaining "Ronnie Remembering" at the official website. 
 
Pretty Maids is a trademark for heavy metal with a special sense of melody. It's a mix that has worked wonders in the past and still does. Pandemonium can be seen as a back to the roots album just by looking at its cover. The band feels invigorated and the songs they've written here are immediate and fresh. 
 
Ronnie Atkins sings with strong feeling and raw emotion throughout and there is plenty of detail in the drumming and guitar work to keep things interesting. The songs are varied and there are many highlights. Final Day of Innocence, Cielo Drive and Old Enough to know are songs which already feel timeless. Final Day of Innocence has a standout chorus section and Old Enough to know flows extremely well.
 
Cielo Drive is mean and heavy with Ronnie singing in a very powerful way. I can't get enough of the way he delivers the line "HELL.... Tonight... No one left alive...". The song has a haunting feel, in part due to its compact sound and some effects. The evil laugh ending the song is questionable but beside that the song is brilliant.
 
Pandemonium is a strong opener, Little drops of Heaven is a memorable power ballad, I. N. V. U. is cleverly constructed rocker and Breathless ends the album in true Pretty Maids style, with an ultra melodic power ballad. The fact that the chorus is endlessly repeated doesn't even bug me. Beautiful Madness is the only song which fails to stand out to me. 
 
Pandemonium is proof that Pretty Maids haven't grown soft with age. It's a great album and a return to form.

Written by Steen
Thursday, April 8, 2010
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Ratings

Steen: 7.5/10

Members: 7.5/10 - Average of 1 ratings.



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hardrockfanatic Rating: 7.5/10 This is one of the most underrated bands ever. Future World is a must have for any of you ... · Read more ·

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Comment by Alanna (Staff) - Saturday, April 10, 2010

View Profile Comments: 245 Good review, though I don't really consider them all that out of form on their last album. Which we don't seem to have a review of..... how did that happen? I more or less agree with everything said here except "Beautiful Madness", thats a great song!! BooO on you!!! hahah. Posted by Alanna (Staff) Saturday, April 10, 2010

Comment by Steen (Staff) - Saturday, April 10, 2010

View Profile Comments: 518 Thanks. In my opinion Planet Panic was a low point with only a few really outstanding songs. Wake Up To The Real World was a big step up and now Pandemonium is another step up from that so that's how I see their returning to form. I too was surprised that we didn't have a Wake Up... review but looking in the article queue I see you are on your way to correcting that :) Posted by Steen (Staff) Saturday, April 10, 2010

Review by hardrockfanatic (Member) - Thursday, May 6, 2010

View Profile Comments: 1 Ratings: 10 This is one of the most underrated bands ever. Future World is a must have for any of you who don't know who these guys are. The Pandemonium album is a little more of a mixed bag in my opinion than most of their stuff but make no bones about it, it's good stuff. Rating: 7.5/10 Posted by hardrockfanatic Thursday, May 6, 2010