I really like this band, they graced a tiny Camden stage last year with Seven Sisters and presented material from their last album. From then to now, this new one comes out again and follows a similar formula. High intensity melody is in order, a skill the band have mastered over their last few albums. Quite different to their beginnings.

‘While Passion Lasts’ is a little flat to start the release with proper, then it kicks in. Take some Pre-Empire era Queensryche and mix with the major 80’s MTV metal, then you have it. Thankfully the track steps up the pace. ‘Blood from a Stone’ shows Leatherwolf maturity, melody, running guitar riffs and a time stopping guitar solo, this is a really “happy” track, it certainly puts a smile on my grumpy face! ‘Unholy Games’ loses the momentum, a bit of a limp lettuce to me. I wondered if there was going to be a ballad, ‘Dark Stalker’ starts as such, then kicks out the jams and provides the typical Hitten juggernaut of energy that we are now used to. The vocals are a little low key in the mix for this track. The guitar solo is full of passion, I like this, there’s double tracking by the sounds of it too. ‘Truthful Lies’ gets back to basics, Stryper and Steelheart both spring to mind. Each track is following a similar arrangement. Start out good build and build, finish off with a ripping solo of great cup of melody, then they bring it back down for the breathable melodic closing piece, which the same can be said for the next track ‘Hold Up the Night’. If anything, the album is very consistent, I like this, I have rated very highly, it may put some off though if you like a major shift in variation on an album.

The last couple of songs are ‘Where It All Begins’ and the stunning ‘Crimetime’. The former has major MTV influences, I can just imagine the smoke bellowing from the burnt out cars in a music video, moonlight, some female scenes of a lost love, you get the picture (Whitesnake 87 era, Kiss’ “Lick It Up” etc). ‘Crimetime’ is a total change of pace, Mr Big, Van Halen, high energy, speed and riffs, lots of riffs! It’s a lot harder hitting, what a terrific end to the album.

Overall, another strong release, I really like it, it may wander the focus for some listeners, as its very similar in the arrangements and its overall stance. But it show that consistency, it show Hitten have nailed a by gone sound, provided a touch of modernisation and younger enthusiasm, I’d be interested to see where the band go from here.

(8/10 Paul Maddison)

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