Twenty years ago a song called the Final Countdown was irritating everybody who didn’t fancy Joey Tempest to death then, all of a sudden, Europe seemed to vanish off the radar. Thing is I quite like Joey now because according to one website his real name is Rolf. Yeah, as in ‘Harris! How good is that? Whether someone is having a wind up is neither here nor there. I haven’t crossed checked it as I just like the idea of a well groomed ‘just off the video shoot’ Tempest walking into his manager’s office only to be told “how’s it going Rolph!?” 

Anyway I digress. Europe are now back with a vengeance (if a band as mild mannered as them can do ‘vengeance’) and as always it is interesting to compare a band twenty years on from their heyday. Of course they have had a recent acclaimed album under their belt and the tracks I’ve heard sounded good. So is ‘Secret Society’ a progression; the album to get Europe back on the map, as it were? 

Well yes, and no. Firstly you have to say the team assembled in putting this together is admirable. But top credit for getting a Thorgerson designed cover. He did the Floyd albums and one of my faves, UFO’s Obsession with the bloke with marbles in his eyes. Album sleeve design is a lost art since CD’s were introduced, but this is as enigmatic as Thorgerson’s other work. 

Kicking off with the title track this is a far more serious Europe. Rolph, I mean Joey, adopts a slightly sinister tone that doesn’t always work because he hasn’t a sinister bone in his body. Rolph’s haven’t. However it is clear that the saving grace of this album is guitarist John Norum. He brings a bit of old school guitar hero to proceedings and plays some fine solos throughout. There’s some mean riffing at times too, which is just as well as Tempest’s ‘Let The Children Play’ and Mother’s Son’ made me want to fetch the sick bucket – no matter how well meaning they might be. 

All in all ‘Secret Society’ is an album fans will like and AOR types should at least check out. And Norum’s many fans will squeal with delight as he puts in a virtuoso performance that makes me think he should have maybe got more recognition than he actually has. I enjoyed this CD far more than I thought, but it is ultimately let down by some overly cloying sentimental moments from our Rolph. Maybe next time.

Secret Society is released on October 23rd.

Let us know your views on 'Secret Society'

Track List

Secret Society
Always The Pretenders
Getaway Plan
Wish I Could Believe
Let The Children Play
Human After All
Love Is Not The Enemy
Mother's Son
Forever Travelling
Brave And Beautiful Soul
Devil Sings The Blues

Line Up

Joey Tempest - Vocals
John Norum - Guitars
Ian Haughland - Drums
Mic Michaeli - Keyboards
John Leven - Bass