Graham Bonnet has played with some of the best guitarists in the business. Ritchie Blackmore, Michael Schenker, Steve Vai, and Yngwie Malmsteen on this album – Alcatrazz’s first. This was Malmsteen’s next project after he left Ron Keel in Steeler. There is no doubting that Bonnet possesses one of the best voices in rock, and on this album he is taking that Rainbow sound further with the ultimate Blackmore clone.
Tracks like Island In The Sun and Hiroshima Mon Amour were more poppy in direction, and were great for the radio. It’s the more uptempo songs that grab me the most. Jet To Jet has a main riff right out of Blackmore’s back pocket, but Bonnet’s vocals and Yngwie’s playing are awesome on this tune. Too Young To Die, To Drunk To Live has all the hallmarks of future Yngwie endeavours and is just superb with that strong classical vibe, and it is my favourite track. Big Foot has a really cool slow groove and vibe, Yngwie’s solo is just insane. It’s a shame this line up didn’t go further but Yngwie was on a mission, and you all know the rest.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
