EUROPE - War Of Kings [Digipak Version / Extra Track] (2015)

Genre - Hard Rock / Classic Rock

Label - UDR Records

Track listing:

01. War Of Kings

02. Hole In My Pocket

03. The Second Day

04. Praise You

05. Nothin' To Ya

06. California 405

07. Days Of Rock 'N' Roll

08. Children Of The Mind

09. Rainbow Bridge

10. Angels (With Broken Hearts)

11. Light It Up

12. Vasastan [Bonus Track]

EUROPE unleash "War Of Kings", the band's 10th studio album and first under UDR Records.
The new CD from John Norum & Co. is a comeback to the heavier, more technical sound of Europe's origins, still wrapped with their unmistakable melodies and, essentially, bigger than ever.
Vocalist Joey Tempest stated that "War Of Kings is the album we always wanted to make, ever since we were kids listening to bands like Zeppelin, Purple and Sabbath. And after hearing Dave Cobb amazing production for Rival Sons we simply had to work with him. Our adventure is still ON!"
Oh yes, "War Of Kings" is a Classic Hard Rock album, and a great rocking one.
This is clear since the opening title track cutting through with a heavy, driving, bass-driven riff, which then ignites in epic fashion through melting guitars and a roaring rhythm section.
One of the great things about this band is their awe inspiring ability to combine monumental storytelling with astounding melody. And this track conveys all in every way.
As one could expect, the song writing is spectacular; great thought obviously being put into choosing this piece as the album's first shot fired. I was once again blown away by Joey Tempest's indomitable vocal talent, showing no audible signs of aging.
Next, a Thin Lizzy influence is proudly belted out on "Hole In My Pocket", three and a half minutes of pulsating hard rock that bears a fine resemblance to Lynott and Co’s Cold Sweat. Joey Tempest has never been given the full credit he richly deserves for his multifaceted vocal range.
And then we have the feel-good "The Second Day", a fantastic mid-paced, AOR-like track that capitalises on its catchiness with the instrumentation lightly arranged to thicken the chorus and dissipate, adding breeze and flow to the verses.
If you would like to remind yourself of how Europe craft those killer, enormous, Euro-style choruses, this is the track to turn to.
If Robert Plant ever gets the chance to hear "Praise You", I’m pretty sure he’d love to wrap his chops around it. And I'm sure Jimmy Page would tell him to do so. Once again gold plated vocals, but John Norum’s incomparable bluesy tones are sheer bliss.
Ian Haughland’s trademark thunderous skin beating introduces the angry and volatile "Nothin' To Ya". Europe remove the gloss for this one, and replace it with a large coat of nastiness.
If you are an enthusiastic night driver, "California 405" should rattle your dashboard nicely. The soothing cruising rhythm and Norum’s mouth watering guitar solo are a stone wall triumph.
"Children of the Mind" proves this album Rocks: easily one of the more metallic tracks, they get their Dio kissed Rainbow / Sabbath influence with a powerful mix of technicality, groove and catchiness, where Joey's voice also takes leaps and bounds, holding powerful notes long and high. Another massive song that will both grip and haunt you at the same time.
For something completely different, a touch of middle eastern promise flows through "Rainbow Bridge", Mic Michaeli’s provocative keyboards providing a captivating backbone to a song that oozes sex appeal and melodic delights.
It’s now 29 years since the honey dripping ballad Carrie had mullet wearing couples locking their body parts, and a fine tune it was too. But one listen to "Angels (with Broken Hearts)", a ballad of divine beauty, and you’ll see the leap in class their song writing has taken. It’s moody, atmospheric and even if you possess the coldest of souls, this will stop you in your tracks.
If you want to revel in the elegant mastery of John Norum’s playing, look no further than his closing piece on "Light Me Up and this Digipak bonus "Vasatan". His grit, soul and sincerity cascade on every chord struck. To call it a master class would be doing it an injustice. The man is a modern day maestro who’s genius has not yet been fully treasured.
This is definitely Europe's strongest record in years, and one of the best of their career. Not only a tremendous release for the Metal and Rock world, but a testament to the band's history.
It's an explosive Classic Hard Rock album plenty of killer tracks and kick ass performances, showing their influences yet with a definitive Europe stamp.
ROCKS.
Rating - 9/10

EUROPE - War Of Kings [single] (2015)

Genre - Hard Rock / Classic Rock /  Melodic Rock

Label - UDR Records

 

Track listing:

 

01 - War Of Kings

"War Of Kings" is the upcoming, 10th studio album by Swedish superstars EUROPE, to be released on March 2, 2015 by UDR Records.
The first single and title track is already available on iTunes and alike.

Vocalist Joey Tempest stated that "War Of Kings is the album we always wanted to make, ever since we were kids listening to classic bands like Zeppelin, Purple and Sabbath. And after hearing Dave Cobb amazing production for Rival Sons we simply had to work with him.
Europe is still hungry, and our adventure is still ON!"
The song has a pretty classic hard rock sound, yet with a bright modern production sound.
It promises to be a great album.

Rating - 9/10

Falling Red Announce Tour Of The Damned 2014 (leg 1)

KEE MARCELLO (Ex - Europe) - Judas Kiss (2013)

Genre - Hard Rock
Label -

Track listing -

01. Zombie
02. Dog Eat Dog
03. Starless Sky
04. I'm Stoned
05. Dead End Highway
06. Judas Kiss
07. And Forever More (duet with Akane Liv)
08. Coming Home
09. Get On Top
10. The Harder They Come
11. Dead Give Away
12. Love Will Tear Us Apart
13. Metal Box

*** Please note the following review is not my own, but I couldnt agree with it more therefore I replicate it here! ***

"Swedish axe-slinger, former Europe guitarist KEE MARCELLO seems to be a very busy man lately, decided to recover his place into the international Rock scene.
After releasing his controversial Europe own-versions album 'Redux: Europe', the 'humbly' entitled biography 'The Rock Star God Forgot' and his performance in the well known musical Rock Of Ages in Scandinavia, Marcello has just released a brand new CD.
"Judas Kiss" is his third solo album featuring original material since the last almost nine years ago.
Decidedly into a full rocking territory, "Judas Kiss" is basically a traditional Hard Rock album with an updated sound & style.
Sometimes really melodic, quite hard n' heavy in others, this new offering finds Marcello in great form, both musically (he has undoubtedly inspired many players since Europe's Superstitious back in the late '80s) as well as in the songwriting.
"Judas Kiss" as a whole is a solid piece of kickin' Hard Rock. 13 tracks about love, loss, road weariness and betrayal (there's some good lyrics to be found) wrapped by potent riffs, incendiary solos and a groovy rhythm section.
Kee is singing better, his slightly raspy style fit with good feeling these bluesy inspired hard rockers. His playing is out of question, displayed here in abundant variations.
On the melodic side, "Starless Sky" is the highlight, somehow a midtempo rocker with excellent verses both in the vocals and the instrumental arrangements. Killer solo and layered chorus.
Despite its uptempo rhythm and some gritty vocals, opener "Zombie" is a melodic hard rock song in essence, while the bone-dry, groovy yet melodious "Dead End Highway" (love the solo here) and title track "Judas Kiss" recalls his ex-bandmates circa Start From The Dark years.
Another nice track which adds variation is the melodic march of "And Forever More", featuring female singer Akane Liv dueting with Kee. The main melody is inspired by one of Europe's best tracks ever; Girl From Lebanon.
"Coming Home" is the album's token ballad, slowing things down a bit with an earthy guitar work and modulated vocals. Good one.
But also we find in this CD some truly hard hitting numbers such as "Get On Top", the dark "Metal Box", "The Harder They Come" (with a riff dangerously close to Metallica's Enter Sandman, but cool), and the crunchy "Dog Eat Dog". "I'm Stoned" features some down-tuned guitars and a refrain akin Alice In Chains working well on all levels.
"Love Will Tear Us Apart" is a cover of Joy Division, at first glance certainly an odd choice, but Marchello has cleverly arranged the song in Melodic Rockin' way, adding even more balance to the album. I liked a lot this one.
Kee Marcello proves with "Judas Kiss" that there's life for him after Europe.
Perhaps it has taken too many years to find his own musical identity, but never it's too late, and this new recording is by far the best of his solo career.
Well written, arranged and superbly played, "Judas Kiss" has a dynamic production - I would preferred a more crispy sound - but seems Kee wants to attack with more bite and this matter is amply accomplished here."
Recommended.

Rating 9/10


Line Up -
Kee Marcello: Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals
Jonny Scaramanga: Guitar
Ken Sandin: Bass
Tim Brown: Drums
Akane Liv: guest Vocals

Europe - Bag Of Bones (2012)

Genre - Hard Rock
Label - earMUSIC

Track listing -

01. Riches to Rags
02. Not Supposed to Sing the Blues
03. Firebox
04. Bag of Bones
05. Requiem
06. My Woman My Friend
07. Demon Head
08. Drink and A Smile
09. Doghouse
10. Mercy You Mercy Me
11. Bring It All Home
12. Beautiful Disaster (Japan Bonus Track)

"The thing that impresses me with this band is their ability to evolve with each album they release, and give the listener something that is genuinely different to the last offering. So many bands churn out album after album using the same tired old formula, but not these guys!

With bag of bones the band enlisted the expertise of producer Kevin Shirley ( Aerosmith, Dream Theater, Black Country Communion, Journey, The Black Crowes). The Result is a much more gritty sound than on Last look at Eden, and it certainly seems to suit the distinctly more bluesy vibe on this album. it sounds as if it could have been recorded live, a big part of which is down to he big open live drum sound that was common in a lot 70's production.
The song writing on this album is excellent, the lyrics are well crafted and full of emotion and soul, as is Joey's Vocal performance, which is probably his best on any of their albums since the reunion in 2003. John Norum's guitar playing, as ever, is excellent, but he really does shine on this album in partiuclar. It's obvoius that he is most comfortable when playing blues, and some of the solo work, particularly on the opener "rags to riches", is stunning."
I couldnt have said it better to be honest!
There are so many great tracks on this album, opener Riches To Rags, Not Supposed To Sing The Blues, title track, Bag Of Bones, Demon Head, Doghouse well the list goes on!
Europe are a great band that just continue to grow and evolve, Bag Of Bones has a great bluesy rock feel to it and it suite the band so well. This album is probably one of the best albums that the band have ever and will ever record!

Rating - 10/10