Pride Of Lions
The Roaring Of Dreams

If their self-titled album immediately captured me and the subsequent "The Destiny Stone" delighted me, this "The Roaring Of Dreams" is exquisite stuff for all kinds of tastes. Like truffles, the purest and rarest kind. Like caviar. In short: like those things you can enjoy just once and then say "See Naples and die". I do not want to kick the bucket, at all. But this album seals the place of Pride of Lions at the honor spot on the Mount of the Kings of AOR par excellence.

The album is an authentic jewel, brimming with other small precious stones, each set within it. The emotions it manages to convey to the listener are superb and endless. There is no shortage of the more energetic tracks fit for a soundtrack (like the opener "Heaven on Earth" and the following "Book of Life"). The more poignant tracks that will make all melodic rock enthusiasts swoon are not lacking ("Secret of the Way" and "Love's Eternal Flame"); nor are moments clearly paying homage to the Dire Straits (listen to believe "Tall Ships"), and, finally, the fabulous title track is not missing either where our lions outdo themselves, presenting a grand piece, a wild masterpiece oozing emotion everywhere.

To describe this album as perfect is almost an insult. It has no weak points, no moments of faltering, nothing that could tarnish its precious stones. Only beauty, emotions, anger, melody, and, as per the script, an exceptional closure with the superb "Turnaround", which could serve as the soundtrack to any Hollywood film. But who am I to judge an album and place it at the pinnacle of the melodic hard rock Olympus? Nobody. "I'm just one" (Metallica teaches).

The rest, the final verdict, is up to you.

You guys are great...