The Frontiers label is certainly knocking them out these days. This is another release from this respected record company and I’m happy to report that Andersen, Laine & Readman’s “III” is yet another decent effort. The trio specialise in Rainbow (Rising era) classic rock with a bit of Dio, Malmsteen and Joe Lynn Turner thrown in for good measure. It’s a formula you can’t really go wrong with, if you get it right, which these guys have.  

Certainly there is a market out there for this stuff and it is very much like Thunderstone’s excellent ‘Tools of Destruction’ album that I reviewed last year. Clearly then we are talking quality musicianship and David Readman’s vocals especially have just the right tone for this sort of music.  

The only downside is one of originality. The title says it all really. Couldn’t they be bothered with a band name? Then calling you’re album ‘III’ is hardly a flash of inspiration is it. Ok you might think I’m being petty. But whilst the musicianship is high there are moments in each song where you simply cock an ear as if to say ‘where have heard that bit before?’ 

Don’t get me wrong. Andersen, Laine & Readman have done a great job screwing this all together. And classic rock fans will absolutely love it. It’s certainly as good as what Malmsteen has been peddling around for quite a while now. Yet in truth it still lacks the fire and passion of the Swede or even Sir Ritchie Blackmore on his lute! 

There is a sense of imitation here, even down to the short duration of this album’s full running time. Rainbow Rising was little over half-hour long; this is about 36 minutes. Not value for money in these days of bonus tracks and double sided DVD’s.  

Summing up, whilst I liked this album in a kind of fluffy, retro way, it lacks the heart and soul of ‘Rising’, ‘Holy Diver’ and all those other classics. If you can get past this and enjoyed Thunderstone’s ‘Tools of Destruction’ or Malmsteen’s last effort then

‘III’ is a worthy addition to any classic rocker’s record collection.

Let us know your views on 'III'

Track List

Rise
Dust To Dust
The Way It Goes
Straight To The Heart
Tell Me Your Lies
Don't Need A Thing
End Of My Rope
Scared To Live
Bulletproof
Learning To Fly

Line Up

Paul Laine - Vocals
David Readman - Vocals
Andre Andersen - Keys/guitar/bass
Bjarke Hopen - guitar
Kaj Laege - drums
Kenny Lubcke - backing vocals