Time creates a unique perspective. Had "Over The Top" been released in 1980 or ’81, it would have been lambasted as too derivative of Iron Maiden (just as Tokyo Blade). However, almost thirty years later, it’s heralded as a tribute and return to classic heavy metal ideals. Not that I’m complaining.

Although just nine tracks, the reference points are numerous, most notably the familiar Steve Harris bass gallop and twin leads of the aforementioned Brits. Even though it has nothing in common can’t separate the album’s titular phrase (a favorite of 80s metal bible Kerrang) from the Stallone arm wrestling movie of the same name. The track features an early Virgin Steele (David DeFeis) piercing shriek. As a friend pointed out, KK Downing and Glenn Tipton deserve a writing create for ‘40 Deuces’ which is essentially a super charged version of Judas Priest’s ‘Desert Plains’. Almost every track features an extended instrumental section, complete with a ripping solo (or two). The speedster ‘Out Of Control’ would appear to have been written with Maiden album liner notes in hand, utilizing terms like ‘rivotheads’, ‘hammers’ as well as other none-too-veiled references to classic songs/albums.

Catchy, upbeat rhythms abound and anyone whose been disenchanted with music would do well to pick this up, as well as likeminded European (Wolf, Enforcer, Bullet, Steelwing, etc.) souls.