Even if this album sucked, I’d buy it for the intro to “Moonsigh” alone. It’s a killer, an Egyptian feel opening and then the biggest guitar sound I’ve heard for ages. Monstrous, I love it. The truth is, the rest of the album doesn’t suck either which is no surprise after the opener. Euro-Power Metallists “Evidence One” unleash their second album “Tattooed Heart” and it’s a killer.  

The aforementioned “Moonsigh” is the track Ronnie James Dio wishes he’d written, a huge, sweeping groove and soaring vocals. An early contender for my song of the year. The pace picks up for track 2 “Virus In My Veins”, a proper rocker, guitar harmonies, vocal harmonies and virtuoso solo’s. The band are top drawer on all levels, drums, bass, vocals, keys and guitar.  

Evidence One are a new name to me, but I’m instantly a fan. The quality of the song writing is evident in the first three tracks, three different tempo’s demonstrating a multi-dimension to the band. “Written In Blood” and title track “Tattoo…” are huge stomping songs, big choruses and hooky lyrics. Lead singer Carsten Schulz has an incredible voice, soul and power, no better demonstrated than on “In Love And War”, a (almost) ballad. I say almost because it’s a ballad without the slush. Beautifully crafted chorus and stunning guitar. 

Stand out tracks for me, are all the aforementioned. Particularly “Moonsigh” it’s just immense.And “Slave To The Machine” just oozes class, lyrically strong and a heavy delivery. All the ingredients for proper metal. But in all honesty each track stands tall. Pretty much an all killer, no filler scenario. 

I’m getting more and more into this genre of music, the Americans have almost dried up in terms of new music on any great scale and bands like Edguy, Cans, Hammerfall, Silent Force and more recently Evidence One have emerged with a fresh sound, brutally heavy, yet with a certain polish in the performance. Vocal and musical virtuosity is cool again, and about time. This is a top album, on all levels and I’m hoping Evidence One can break into the UK market on a major scale and thus open the gates for Euro-Metal in this country. There’s a list as long as your arm of quality European bands, producing quality music, which is rarely heard in this country. And Evidence One sit with the best of them.

p.s. How do they get that guitar sound ?

Let us know your views on 'Tattooed Heart'

Track List

Moonsigh
Virus In My Veins
Written In Blood
Tattooed Heart
Infinite Seconds
When Thunder Hits The Ground
In Love And War
Slave To The Machine
Anything I Need To Know
Child Of Sanity
Walls Of Lies

Line Up

Robby Boebel -Guitars
Carsten "Lizard" Schulz - Vocals
Thomas "Hutch" Bauer -Bass
Wolfgang  Schimmer - Guitars
Rami Ali - Drums