On the first album the band wasn't really a band but more a Jacob/Soto project + friends. Guitars were played by Christopher Ståhl (Power) and Mats Lindfors (Norum), keyboards by Mats Olausson (Malmsteen, Glory) and additional drums by Peter Hermansson (220 VOLT, Norum).

When Talisman signed to Dino Records (later re-named Empire Records ) they bought the master and re-issued the debut on CD with six live tracks as bonus - still a classic in my collection. But the two most spoken-of-albums by the band was the two "Humanimal" albums - the line up included Fredrik Åkesson on guitar and ex-Treat drummer Jamie Borger. Åkesson left as he wanted to go in a heavier direction which can be heard on his project Southpaw. But the band finally decided to take a hiatus and Marcel and Jeff recorded two albums under the moniker Human Clay.

But Talisman finally found their way back, reinforced with guitarist Pontus Norgren. The album "Truth" was however a flop - and after the album the band officially split, but did some gigs in the summer of 2001. Jeff, Pontus and Marcel later joined forces with drummer Thomas Broman (Glenn Hughes) and took the name Humanimal. In 2002 Humanimal split and shortly after ... Talisman has risen with the return of the old friends Fredrik Åkesson on guitars and Jamie Borger on drums.

"Cats And Dogs" is a splendid return to the old attitudes that gave the band the cult status even back then - The magnificent vocals by Soto, the artistic bass-lines by Jacob and the heavy guitar tunes by Åkesson completed by the groovy drums by Borger best described in the song "Outta my Way" - where the duel between Jacob and Åkesson is a classic in the making.

But also a ballad like "Sorry" is very authentic - and THAT is exactly the big force of the band they seem very reliable in every track and with every form for expression! "Cats & Dogs" is just about perfect as a triumphant return for Talisman - great! And by the way you can buy their back catalogue through their website!