Pretty Maids - Louder Than Ever (2014)

More than thirty years in melodic rock, Pretty Maids is Louder Than Ever for sure. In this album, the band seems higher spirit than ever, releasing a nostalgic re-recorded hit songs, altogether with bonus of four new songs. The band just passed their 30th anniversary and I really like their 2013 album called Motherland. The idea of this album was to re-recorded their prime hits from the past, re-arranged and re-touch with the current formation. On overall, Louder Than Ever stay honest to the title, this album is literally louder than their previous one.

Deranged as the first track is a new song. It's open with a distance, background surround effects of guitar riffs, then lead into slower tempo as the verses attacks in. I like the middle bridge sections where the drum seems like just exploded with its double pedal variation at 01:20. Such a perfectly composed song with great structures, song and solos. My Soul To Take is a combination of modern hard rock but still has a touch of oldies ballad feel. This is rather simple song with explosive choruses. Nuclear Boomerang is a concept song with obvious theme. Supported with aggressive tempo, the song is well reflected the lyric contents. Finally the last new song is a sweet ballad called A Heart Without A Home.

Of the rerecorded tracks, Playing God is obviously a display of late '90s era riffs. Taken from "Planet Panic" (2002), this new version is more straight forward, but leaving out several unique sounds from the original. Psycho Time Bomb Planet Earth is now a track that got more feel of power metal. This is quite a fresh version of the one found in 1995 album Scream. He Who Never Lived is switch into '90s glam metal guitar works. This is by far the most faithful version to the original, except I may missing the bass line variations that stand out. Virtual Brutality is modern sounding track, with techy guitar sounds and synthesizer effects. The vocal is a bit tame from the influences of nu-metal feel compare to the original.

There are still much songs in the album. I love them all, the variety of styles in this album is just killer. This is a cultivation of their 30 years in practice. Pretty Maids simply still being the best in melodic metal / rock. Their ideas are still highly creative. The philosophy of all-styles give them a broad area of practice. Grab this fast.

Metal Harem class: ********** nine stars out of ten

Pretty Maids - Louder Than Ever (2014)
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1. Deranged (New Song)
02. Playing God (Rerecorded)
03. Psycho Time Bomb Planet Earth (Rerecorded)
04. My Soul To Take (New Song)
05. He Who Never Lived (Rerecorded)
06. Virtual Brutality (Rerecorded)
07. Tortured Spirit (Rerecorded)
08. With These Eyes (Rerecorded)
09. Nuclear Boomerang (New Song)
10. Snakes In Eden (Rerecorded)
11. Wake Up To The Real World (Rerecorded)
12. A Heart Without A Home (New Song)

Ronnie Atkins – Vocals
Ken Hammer – Guitars
Morten Sandager – Keyboards
Rene Shades – Bass
Allan Tschicaja – Drums
Record Label: Frontiers Records