Believe it or not, the band released four albums under the name of Cacumen before the record company advised them to change the name to something a bit more catchy. They made the change for the Don’t Touch The Light album in ’86. The Fireworks album was the follow up release.
It’s a classic sounding hair metal album with all the clichés present and correct, and has a killer production by Michael Wagener. Ready 4 Reaction opens the album up in fine style with a killer riff and double kick groove. Nevermind follows and has a choppy riff with a sing-a-long chorus and superb guitar solo. Sleeping All Alone slows the pace down with a slow stomp beat, and a Journey style chorus with all the harmonies. Hans Ziller (who is the only member to be on every album) is one hell of a guitar player and his solos lift every song. Champion has a very metal riff and groove with a ripping solo. Don’t Get Me Wrong is very reminiscent of their countrymen the Scorpions with a very familiar feel.
Talking of the Scorpions, You Make Me Feel, which was also on the band’s previous album, has a very Winds Of Change vibe going down. The keyboard intro to Sweet Obsession sees the band at their melodic best – this should have been released as a single, especially in America. Rock Me Now has the big production vibe – it starts real slow before the galloping riff and beat kick in and could be my favourite on the album. American Nights has a very simple riff, a big chorus and melody, and as the title suggests, is very much aimed at the US. Fantasy is one of two ballads on the album and is tolerable with the big guitar chorus section. The album closes out with Give It A Try which is the other ballad – I don’t really like this much, as with all ballads from metal/rocks acts, they are mostly record company driven.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
