These guys, (according to the press) were supposed to be somewhat of a NWOBHM supergroup. This is because Dennis Stratton, after his departure from Maiden and Jess Cox, after his removal from the Tygers Of Pan Tang came together to form the band. They put the band together around ’81, but it was not until ’84 that this album (their debut album) final surfaced. By this time Cox had gone and was replaced by Chad Brown. Stratton was still there on guitar, Steve Mann was guitar and keys, Rocky Newton on bass, and for this album only Bob Jenkins on the pots and pans.
By now the sound was more akin to aor/melodic rock. A top notch producer in Kevin Beamish was brought in and outside writers were used to try and find the elusive hit single. Die For Love was the track that maybe should have cracked the charts, but I’m not sure if it was released as a single. The emphasis on the whole album is on the big hook and chorus, with a melody you can sing to. My two favourite tunes are Hot Tonight and Dangerous Game. Both have the twin guitars in the mix and you can’t fail to sing along to either.
The band should have been aimed more at the American market, because melody was king at this point. A definite forgotten gem.
7.5/10 from The Grooveman.
