Although around since ’84 and having a track in the movie Friday The 13th: The Final Chapter, it wasn’t until ’86 that this, their first full length album, was released. At the same time they also had written the theme song to the animated Transformers movie. Everything seemed to be going their way, but as with everything hard rock and LA, they seemed to fall between the cracks. It’s a shame, as this album and the follow up are really good records and should have seen the band crack into the big leagues. Plus, they had hot shot guitarist Doug Aldrich, who would later join Whitesnake and the Dead Daisies playing up a storm, and on vocals there was ex-Tytan vocalist Kal Swan.
Make no mistake, this is one of the best hair rock albums you have never heard of. Every song is a killer song of this genre of rock. Well written songs and some great playing from all involved, especially Doug Aldrich who plays his ass off. If Never Surrender had been released as a single things might have been a whole lot different. My favourite track is the last track on the album, Shout It Out, which is a kick ass up tempo rocker with a killer chorus and hook. I personally think this kills anything that Def Leppard ever did, but that’s just my opinion. Doug Aldrich hasn’t had a lot of luck with his bands as nobody seems to care about the excellent Burning Rain as well.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
