Ten get a lot of shit thrown at them for just being Ten. It’s not justified, as their track record for delivering is just as impressive as any other bands out there. I’ve been a fan of these guys since their 1996 debut.
Even the less acclaimed The Twilight Chronicles (2006) and Stormwarning (2011) held up ok in my mind. It’s only with Gary Hughes’ re-recording of the band’s earlier material The Essential Collection that I had to call them out for unacceptable quality.
There are enough studio albums now that everyone has their favourite era and style that Gary Hughes has taken on, but it seems without question the most popular is the early years.
And that is why Albion is so rewarding. Gary manages to do something many artists aspire to, but fall short with. He’s taken the band back to the sound of their most melodic and most powerful albums. The self-titled debut, Name Of The Rose, Spellbound and Babylon are probably the band’s best records and all are represented here.
If the melodic rock of Alone In The Dark Tonight represents the debut, then the heavier Battlefield takes on The Name Of The Rose.
It's Alive is classic Ten with a modern twist and the heavy bombastic Celtic pomp of Albion Born is pure Gary Hughes brilliance.
The rock ballad Sometimes Love Takes The Long Way Home is once again classic Ten doing everything they do best. A track Whitesnake would be proud to call their own.
A Smuggler's Tale is the heavier side of the band’s sound, while the 7 and a half minute Die For Me is heavy again, but pretty commercial with a catchy chorus.
It Ends This Day concludes a trio of heavier songs.
The moody piano ballad Gioco D'Amore is sung in English and Italian and is something very special. Once again, a classic Ten ballad.
The 6 minute Wild Horses builds from a gentle start to a pomp friendly, hard rocking finish.
Can’t find fault with this album. A terrific return to the sound of the early (and best) years and a step up in songwriting quality over the last few albums.
Fans of British melodic hard rock and the pomp and grandiose arrangements Gary Hughes is famous for are going to love this. A perfect step into the past without moving backwards.
