If ever there were a band that did not receive the recognition for genuine fulfilling song-writing with total metal credentials in their earlier days then it is Denmark’s Pretty Maids. You may have heard their tunes covered before (Hammerfall – Back to Back), but this was and is the genuine article. Now maturing in a way that sees a more melodic passion developing over their last three or four releases, ‘Motherland’ is an album that is a worthy contender for album of the year.
Opening with ‘Mother of All Lies’, Pretty Maids make comment in the current financial situation and reflect on a government “taxing you to the hilt”. But that is not all, delve into the music and you find a most rewarding experience. Closely followed by an epic ‘To Fool A Nation’, this shows off more vocal skills from the very talented Ronnie Atkins, whom along with guitarist Ken Hammer formed this band in 1982. Whilst most people who know of Pretty Maids will still regard 1987’s ‘Future World’ as a classic, ‘Motherland’ and it’s 2010 predecessor ‘Pandemonium’ shows a band intent on upholding those classic releases of the eighties but still managing to bring a bit more of a fresh modern approach. One previous album ‘Jump the Gun’ started to develop more vocal melody, whilst this flavour was ever present throughout the 90’s and the new millennium, going to their roots and developing such sounds further just sounds more natural for these musicians.
Rousing anthems are plentiful, especially ‘Sad to See You Suffer’ and the harder edged ‘Hooligan’ that still harbours genuine relevance and a keen ear for melody is one of this bands greatest trademarks, something I found with their 2008 Headbanger’s Open Air appearance. You don’t need massive guitar solos, you get enough with the guitars playing out the songs own individual emotive senses, something that is lost in the wider metal spectrum but very much a credit to this and the more melodic side of the music genre, no matter how varied it may well be. If you want to find hope and master the art of keen concise song writing, then ‘Motherland’ is for you. I cannot really pinpoint any individual track on its own merit as the album is full of them in their own right. It has been a long time since an album has had me hooked and obsessed in this way by the shear ambience and feeling resultant of many a spin on the music player, if you want a genuine classic and like to indulge in the lighter side of metal and melody, this is an album for you, this is one of the albums of the year thus far and whilst you are at it, check out this Danish’s bands vast and desirable classic discography.
(9/10 Paul Maddison)
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