This is the debut album released back in ’84 from Denmark’s leading exponents of metal. Lead by the superb Ronnie Atkins on vocals, I’ve always had a soft spot for this band. I’m also a sucker for the twin lead guitar sound, and in Rick Hanson and the delightfully named Ken Hammer, Pretty Maids have got it down to a T.
Opening track, Fortuna, is a take on Carmina Burana, before a real fast paced opening on the track Back To Black kicks in, and the title track follows with the band channeling their inner Judas Priest. Waitin’ For The Time To Come sounds like a different band as the vibe is more melodic rock, and parts of this song remind me of Def Leppard. Side 1 closes out with Cold Killer, which I think is about aliens out in space on their way to wipe out the human race.
Battle Of Pride kicks Side 2 into gear and is one of my favourites on the album with a nice up-tempo ditty that gets the foot a tappin’ and the head a bobbin’. Night Danger is another contender as the double kicks are pounding on this one. The more melodic side returns with A Place In The Night, and I have to say it reminds me of Runaway by Bon Jovi. Nice tune! The opening to Queen Of Dreams is pomp at its finest and something Styx and Angel would have been proud of. The album closes out with Little Darling with the chugga’s really drivin’ the song along.
Big fan of The Maids, and they would go one to release some killer records.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
