This particular outfit piqued my interest when the press release announcing the album happened to mention that both Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon/Stream Of Passion) and Ian Parry (Consortium Project) have, in the past, both been members of the band . First the bad news Ian Parry is not involved at all, he has been replaced by  Leon Goewie who proves to have a good strong voice and Lucassen only appears on one track. Anyone expecting prog rock a la Ayreon will be very surprised by this album. Instead it's very much what I would have called heavy metal twenty years ago and is certainly influenced by AC/DC and Accept amongst others. This is no more evident than on opener 'Back In The Ring'  and the AC/DC influences are further enhanced with follow up number 'No Mercy'. But don’t write this band off just yet as one trick ponies no sireee! 

''Mind Over Matter' , with great timing, is similar in style to Lordi's Eurovision winning 'Hard Rock Hallelujah' and the one song that features Lucassen, namely 'Captain Moonlight, is built around a programmed synth bass line and is a prime slice of hard rock. In a slightly heavier vein there is then 'Holy Water', all chugging guitars and driving drums. Bad Attitude is another great “heavy metal” track from when rock came in two forms heavy metal and everything else! 

Elsewhere on 'Back In The Ring' you can pick out AOR influence in the shape of the Hardline-esque 'Had Enough' and more especially 'Now And Then', probably the best track on the album, and even a little bit of The Who when the band serve up the perhaps appropriately titled 'Rip it Off'.

All in all 'Back In The Ring' was nothing like I was expecting, but great fun never the less. The whole feeling of the album takes the listener back to the days when rock club dance floors were filled by some good old fashioned heavy metal fuelled by the odd pint or ten and that is just the way rock should be thank you very much!

Let Us Know Your Views On 'Back In The Ring'

Track List

Back In The Ring
No Mercy
Mind Over Matter
Captain Moonlight
Holy Water
Bad Attitude
Had Enough
Now And Then
Cowboy Song
Rip It Off
Evelyn

Line Up

Leon Goewie - Vocals
Barend Courbois - Bass
Hans In’T Zandt - Drums
Peter “Slash” Bourbon - Guitars