This is Europe’s second album, released in ’84, and it was the album before The Final Countdown and mega stardom. Europe became popular in their native Sweden thanks to them winning a televised rock talent contest. Melody has always been the main focus for the band, but the first couple of albums were actually quite heavy with a very Deep Purple/Rainbow vibe in places.
Scream Of Anger is one of the heaviest tracks the band have done as it grooves along at a fair pace, with double kicks a plenty. You even get a Maiden-style gallop in Wasted Time. Of course there are ballads with Open Your Heart and Dreamer, showing where their future will lead. It’s the rockier numbers that do it for me and album close out track, Dance The Night Away is my favourite with its very NWOBHM vibe and great guitar from John Norum. It’s interesting to hear Joey Tempest sing with a much rawer tone to his voice on these earlier albums than the polished sound of The Final Countdown, and beyond. I really like Europe and Last Look At Eden is a killer album. A really solid album.
8/10 from the Grooveman.
