UK rock band Dark Heart features vocalist Alan Clark and guitarist Nick Catterick (both of Change Of Heart) and are joined by drummer Pete Newdeck, (who also handles the very tasty production and balanced mix) and bassist Josh Williams. Rather expecting another dose of quality AOR in the vein of Change Of Heart, I was rather surprised to hear the album is instead inspired by some Dokken-esque guitar fuelled melodic metal heroics, with a sound I think both George Lynch and Don Dokken would be impressed with.

It features some terrific heavy guitar work and quality vocals, supported by some well written songs that both vary in pace and delivery style. It’s a real old-fashioned hard rock/melodic metal album that is a great pleasure to listen to. Its both moody and uplifting when the individual song calls for it.

In these days of fabricated projects, it’s a real band album and a winning collaboration by all involved.