Good ol' Soto and Jacob are back at again showing the world that classic melodic metal has never gone away and will never go out of style. Big release number ten, (seventh studio) since 1990 for the gang as they are now found on the Frontiers Records label.

Like their brethren (Takara, Ten, Glory) Talisman, have waved the flag of this style for ages and have offered up yet another great disc. It has been five long years since Truth so it is good to hear the band is back in action.

Track five 'Outta My Way' by far the heaviest and catchiest on the disc should have been the lead off track and seems to be the first single. All twelve tracks are a very comfortable brand of classy and classic melodic metal. The solos never get too frantic, the vocals never get too screechy or yelpy and the song arrangements are fun and familiar. Most of the twelve cuts are in the radio friendly three to four minute zone.

The songs are so well done that it is not surprising that a band like this performing in a style that is not commercially popular (in North America, anyway) still have what it takes to make yet another great CD. From the soulful bluesy vocal touches on the semi-ballad 'Love Will Come Again' to the fun riff-rockery of the opening cut 'Skin on Skin' to Jacob regular bass flourishes, this CD is a winner.

Produced by the ex-Yngwie men themselves, Jacob and Soto know how an album should sound after years and years in the music biz in at least half a dozen bands each.

The guitar shines on every track as Åkesson has rejoined the band, his tone clear and bright.

Check out this disc, watch for an entire catalogue re-issue with bonus tracks in the near future and start to explore the rich and diverse band histories of the members involved.