Adrian

Essentially agree with the review. In terms of insights and ideas, this album kicks the ass of almost everything that has come out since No Prayer, but what brings it down is the usual, damaging tendency of the band to stretch things out far too much. A prime example is that missed masterpiece, Empire of the Clouds, which with 5 minutes less in duration could truly have been a career-defining piece, but ends up being just a missed opportunity like so many others. At least on the shorter tracks, they’ve shown they still know how to deliver, especially with Death or Glory, which is a fantastic throwback to the ‘80s. That said, we’re back to the usual; it’s only worth it if you’ve found a way to appreciate the previous albums post-reunion. Anyone who thinks that Brave New World, Dance of Death, and A Matter (Final Frontier aside, as it really dropped the ball except for 2-3 songs) mark a negative change in style should stay away from this one too, although this time they really do lose some gems.

I think they are simply a bunch of gimmicks, a flash in the pan destined to die out quickly. The tracks on the album are nice, but I find their success is almost entirely due to the idea of proposing songs with lyrics like these; it's just that while the first song can be fun, this clownish spirit can honestly get tiring (Death to All but Metal has truly terrible lyrics, it seems written by a 13-year-old).

Great album, I must say I appreciated it from the very first listen. As for the rest, a more than good review, although a few generic details about the songs wouldn’t have hurt, indeed…

"A real man doesn't need to see his future; he creates it himself."
Tears, just this.

Someone who hasn't heard anything of this kind and dares to say that they haven't invented anything should have the good sense to avoid such assumptions like a know-it-all. Horrible review, beyond your considerations on the DTs.

Perhaps we forget that Toto's music could be classified as Fusion, but that's that. The truth is that these criticisms bother me a bit because they have such commercial sounds, let's say. As I mentioned before, there are different ways to create "easy-listening" songs, and Toto are masters at crafting something that's extremely catchy yet also of more than good quality. If only we had more bands with such a high level of skill; just Porcaro and Lukather alone would be enough to sweep away every criticism from this standpoint. Good review for a first effort, 4 as encouragement!

Devastating album, and it's especially incredible that there was a 19-year-old on guitar, which becomes even more impressive perhaps during the solo interlude of Rock Bottom.

Well, take it easy; the change in genre does not compromise its quality, which is overall good.

The manifesto of NWOBHM along with Angel Witch and Killers... definitive.

Great Bartle, excellent review as always. You are not exaggerating at all in saying it's necessary, considering we are faced with an album that can be defined as Heavy Metal in every way, which is surprising since we are not in the mid-'80s, but at the very beginning! So, it's a great album; in my top three, I place in order Free Man (I drool over the power ballad, and I find it virtually perfect), the title track (the opening riff is stunningly impactful, I listened to it once and the next day at work, I was either humming that little riff or the chorus) and White Witch (again, a spectacular opening riff, truly). An, and Sorcerers, as well as Remember Tomorrow, reminded me a lot of Electric Funeral by the dear old Sabbath, since the riff is of the same mold and essentially identical! What can I say, great once more! P.S.: production maybe not stellar, but perhaps precisely for that reason, it is perfectly nailed!