This whole album could translate easily into the live arena and I for one cannot wait to see/hear these songs played live. The production is excellent, allowing all the instruments to be heard and making the songs that much stronger for it. It is beautifully played throughout by a very tight band and a vocalist with an incredibly strong voice. This is true classic rock in 2012 and whilst the previous reference points are there, this is a quality standalone hard rocking album without a duff track anywhere. Throughout this review I have quoted several bands and musicians that this album nods to but one thing I haven’t said is that this is a truly unique piece of work in this day and age. ‘Doghouse’ is straight ahead rocker reminiscent of the kind of stuff Thunder used to do so well. ‘Drink and a Smile’ is all Zep 3 acoustics with Joey Tempest showing another side to his vocals with a bluesy delivery, backed perfectly by guitar. The more I listen to this album the more I love it and for someone who yearns for the mark 2 Purple sound I can honestly say that this album is the equal of those great releases and will be a real eye-opener for anyone still associating Europe with the parping ‘Final Countdown’ and associated fluff. More heavy keys open ‘Demon Head’ which has a vaguely ‘Still of the Night’ feel to it with great vocals again and some cool fuzzy guitar work. ‘My Woman My Friend’ showcases his range, starting acoustically before moving into a heavy shuffle with superb keyboard fills supporting the heavy riff before another jaw-dropping solo from John Norum, who is on fire throughout this album.
The voice is still recognisable from their 80s output but there is a rich timbre to his singing these days pitching him somewhere between Coverdale and Hughes - high praise maybe but fully justified I assure you. So impressive is the opening to the album that I haven’t even mentioned the vocals of Joey Tempest yet. This album rocks from start to finish and there are nods to all the greats throughout, with the sitar and eastern breakdown in ‘Firebox’ recalling ‘Kashmir’ before giving way to a short Schenkeresque solo from the always impressive John Norum.īeautiful acoustic work opens the title track before the vocal follows on, leading to a swirling keyboard that announces the heavy as hell rhythm section, and as this song twists and turns it’s clear that this is a departure for Europe but a very successful one. The drum sound owes much to the greats Bonham and Paice and the musicianship throughout is exemplary. If Deep Purple, UFO, Thin Lizzy, Led Zep etc floats your boat then Europe 2012 is the band for you.įrom the heavy funky opening of ‘Riches to Rags’ it is clear that we are in for something special here. Their live shows in recent years have been nothing short of breath-taking with as many male devotees as female these days. Easily the best thing Europe have ever done.Įver since their reformation back in 2003 Europe have released increasingly excellent heavy rock albums, with each release improving on the last.