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The Poodles Clash Of The Elements Blistering Records
BR028
· Produced By: Mats Valentin
· Running Time: 60.50
· Release Date: Out Now
· Released:
· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock
· Links: The Poodles
96%
Songs: 95%
Sound: 97%
Their debut Metal Will Stand Tall was a sensational, attention grabbing slice of melodic hard rock Scandinavian style, but the heavier follow up Sweet Trade lost a little of that magic, although still got played almost as much as the debut.
Clash Of The Elements sees the band back on top with an album that blends the best of both worlds – a heavier, punchier sound, but equal attention paid to the quality of the song writing and making sure those choruses really deliver.
My one problem here is that the band kicks off the album with a really poor choice of song. Too Much Of Everything hasn't got the punch or the quality of the rest of the album and in my view, the attempt here to be commercial up front fails the album as a whole.
Second track Caroline is a far superior track and a true ass-kicker. Its monster beat, monster chorus and contagious spirit would be a perfect album opener. I skip track 1 each time this CD goes on.
And Like No Tomorrow is the perfect follow-on from Caroline. Less intense, but another huge chorus and immediately likeable.
One Out Of Ten is a monster ballad as most will know by now, followed up by another ear crunching rocker in I Rule The Night.
Elsewhere on the album Give Me A Sign is as good as anything off the debut – perfect commercial hard rock with an anthemic chorus; the moody ballad Can't Let You Go follows 3 individually diverse album tracks; and then the best track of all – the absolute monster anthem that is Don't Rescue Me. Brilliant!
The album closes with a double shot of hard rock and then another anthem ballad Wings Of Destiny, which features some fantastic vocals and harmonies. Another killer track from an album that already delivers several classics.
The new general release version of this album from Blistering Records contains an acoustic version of the track I Rule The Night and two additional video clips (I Rule The Night and Like No Tomorrow).
The Bottom Line
In a word - essential! This is simply a great hard rock record and for me puts the band back on the map as far as anticipating what will come next. Fans of European melodic hard rock should not be without. Their best and most consistent record to date.
Discography / Previously Reviewed
· Metal Will Stand Tall
· Sweet Trade
· I Rule The Night

Line Up:
· Jakob Samuel: Vocals
· Henrik Bergqvist: Guitars
· Christian Lunqvist: Drums
· Pontus Edberg: Bass
Essential For Fans Of:
· The Poodles - Metal Will Stand Tall
· Wig Wam
· H.E.A.T.
Track Listing
· Too Much Of Everything
· Caroline *
· Like No Tomorrow *
· One Out Of Ten *
· I Rule The Night *
· Give Me A Sign
· Sweet Enemy
· 7 Days & 7 Nights
· Pilot Of The Storm
· Can't Let You Go
· Don't Rescue Me *
· Heart Of Gold
· Dream To Follow
· Wings Of Destiny *
· I Rule The Night (Acoustic)

--*Best Tracks

12/10/09: Niraj Kapur - niraj.kapur1@btinternet.com
Rating: 96
The Poodles debut was a classic. Their follow-up was a stinker. Now The Poodles have returned with an amazing collection of songs. Too Much Of Everything. I Rule The Night, Can't Let You Go are mesmerising and Like No Tomorrow and I Rule The Night are also brilliant. Well done guys. Can't wait to see you at Firefest.

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