'Louder than ever' indeed...this latest platter of melodic, metallic hard rock follows the 30th anniversary celebration that was Motherland (hard to believe it's been 30 years!) for the veteran Danish band Pretty Maids. Long one of the most respected and beloved bands, and one who just never seemed to catch on here in North America (it's like the Magnum story all over again), the band is nonetheless showing a late career renaissance with two spectacular albums over the last few years.
As was the case with Motherland, Louder Than Ever has its share of crunchy, blistering rockers, like "Psycho Time Bomb" and "Playing God", irresistible melodic fare like the ultra-catchy "Deranged", and unforgettable ballads such as "My Soul to Take". Oh, you say it's metal you crave? Well the band pulls out the crushing riffs on "He Who Never Lived" and "Virtual Brutality" for everyone who wants to bang their heads and crank up the air guitar. There's even epic, symphonic power metal styled bashers in the form of "Nuclear Boomerang" and "Snakes in Eden" just to add even more variety here. No matter what angle the band takes, each song is delivered with plenty of melodic hooks and stellar musicianship.
Reeking of quality through and through, Louder Than Ever is another complete winner from Pretty Maids, a band that just keeps rolling along, getting better with age just like a fine wine.
Track Listing
01.Deranged
02.Playing God
03.Psycho Time Bomb
04.My Soul to Take
05.He Who Never Lived
06.Virtual Brutality
07.Tortured Spirit
08.With These Eyes
09.Nuclear Boomerang
10.Snakes in Eden
11.Wake Up to the Real World
12.A Heart Without a Home