This Japanese outfit has absolutely NOTHING to do with the former Iron Maiden frontman and the non-descript cover of a sailing vessel, in silhouette, will do nothing to pique interest. However, this small German label has a way of unearthing quality traditional/power metal acts, no matter their locale. Flashback to the 70s/early 80s when Michael Schenker was an underrated guitar hero on these shores, overshadowed by Eddie Van Halen and America’s lack of world view. Come to think of it, the accented/mispronounced English lyrics are also reminiscent of those early (RCA) Scorpions discs. Hisashi Suzuki has obviously spent a good portion of his life ingesting UFO/MSG platters, as his licks are heavily inspired by the Teutonic fretster. Opener ‘On The Run’ leaps right into a short, spirited solo. The playing is not all about speed (of which there are moments: ‘See The Light’), but emotive tone. Apart from the ending blaze, ‘Wiseacre In The Land Of Nod’ is a good example of restraint, while ‘Heart Of Gold’ (not the Neil Young number) and ‘Answer’ jump around the fretboard.

A hard to find import that’s worth any search to find!