Gary John Barden, former vocalist in MSG and current singer with Statetrooper and Silver, quite a CV. However I'll be honest I wasn't expecting that much from this album fully expected it to be the first real stinker of a release from the Escape Music stable since starting reviews for the site. As ever though I was well wide of the mark as  Barden, along with cohort Michel Voss,  has produced a great bluesy influenced hard rock record in the style that Thunder, the Quireboys, Status Quo and even early Whitesnake do, and did really rather well. 

Having said all that opener, 'Hot Daze',  starts off more in the style of TNT complete with a riff that could easily be Ronnie Le Tekro to a t , a great opening track. 'Can’t Stop Dreaming' follows up in great style reminiscent Black Sabbath's  Headless Cross before going all later day Clapton. 'Stop (Wat’cha Doing To Me)' on the other hand is a mid tempo number that really does take its influences from blues and soul thanks mainly to the arrangement and the use of horns in the mix and then 'Let Me Down' proves to be more of a  honky style blue rock number that I could see Status Quo rocking out to at some stately home gig on a balmy summer's evening.

'Wounded' is more of a laid back track that builds and builds with Barden sounding like a more restrained Bruce Dickinson in places and 'No More Reasons' is purely the blues man! 'In & Out Of Love' is less of a memorable addition to the album though reminding this reviewer  is a okay track that reminds me of something by Four Non-Blondes, exactly what  I can't decide upon at this moment in time but will properly hit me  two weeks after this review is published- que sera. Luckily things get better with 'Arise'  with Heartland guitarist Steve Morris making a guest appearance. 'Change Of Wind' is more of an atmospheric number that again reminds me of a  laid back Bruce Dickinson and is largely acoustic in nature. 'Need Of Some Love' then rounds the album in a great early Whitesnake fashion, a bluesy ballad track all well played blues with Tommy Denander doing a great Gary Moore impersonation on the solo.  

For an album I was not expecting much from I’ve thoroughly enjoyed listening to it and in fact I can see it getting played regularly over the coming months and years - good one chaps.

Let us know your views on 'Agony & The Xtasy'

Track List

Hot Daze
Can’t Stop Dreaming
Stop (Wat’cha Doing To Me)
Let Me Down
Wounded
No More reasons
In & Out Of Love
Arise
Change Of Wind
Need Of Some Love

Line Up

Gary Barden - Vocals/Guitars
Michael Voss - Guitars/Bass/Keys
Betram Engel- Drums