Tag: vandenberg (Page 1 of 2)

So, the first time around, Vandenberg only released three studio albums and one live album. Then, Adrian joined Whitesnake at their peak as a hired hand. He formed Manic Eden for one album, Moonkings for two albums, and then back to Vandenberg for two records, of which this is the latest.

This time we are joined by Mats Leven on vocals and I think this is as close to Whitesnake that they have ever sounded. Mats raspier tones really suite this music, especially on the Zeppelin influenced title track. There are a couple of really groovy rockin’ tunes that float my boat such as Light It Up, Walking On Water, and Burning Skies. Light It Up has a great swing to the groove and a killer heavier feel. Walking On Water reminds of a riff that George Lynch would come up with. Again, there is a great swing to the groove and the hook and chorus is very cool. Quite an odd sounding riff to Burning Skies but it flows quite well with that swing I keep harping in about.

If you love the bluesier bands from the late eighties then you will love this, and it’s a very solid album.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

After releasing three albums, culminating in Alibi which was released back in ’85, Vandenberg were put to sleep apparently over and done while Adrian was with Whitesnake and the brief project Moon Kings. So, I was quite surprised when Adrian resurrected the band with Ronnie Romero on vocals (well, for this album anyway).

Adopting a more harder edged approach this time around, but still with a ton of melody, this is a great record that went by largely unnoticed when it appeared in 2020.  Adrian obviously picked up some influence from Mr. Coverdale as there are a couple of tunes that could have been on any Whitesnake record. Hell And High Water being one of them is drenched in that heavy soulful blues groove and Ronnie sings those songs so well. My favourite tune is Freight Train, a straight up groove rocker with a dirty killer riff and a hook and chorus to match.

A welcome return from Vandenberg with a superb production job from Bob Marlette makes this a worthy addition to the collection.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

This is the third and final of the original albums before Adrian would jump ship and join Whitesnake full time. The album failed to dent the charts in all major markets. It’s not a bad album, it’s just lacking that killer track.

Opener, All The Way, is a decent enough track with a nice riff and hook. Pedal To The Metal has quite a strange groove, but I really like it. Once In A Lifetime is quite a weak ballad. Voodoo has a riff that you will have heard in various forms on a million tracks before. Dressed To Kill is a great up-tempo groover and is my favourite track on the album. Fighting Against The World has quite a busy riff with a straight up 4/4 beat. Back to ballad city with How Long. A short classical acoustic instrumental follows, before the title track bursts into life, and its a straight up AOR melodic groover with a big hook and chorus. The album closes out with Kamikaze – a very keyboard heavy track with a nice chugga riff underneath. I

f you were to have only one Vandenberg album, then my choice would be their first self titled album.

8/10 from The Grooveman.