Well, this is the result when a young and naive band are leaned on by an unscrupulous management- a chart friendly, semi- hard rock album that upset most of their fan base. Forget 'Dungeons are Calling' or 'Sirens' this is a lukewarm rock album that has little resemblance to the thundering Metal of previous classics. Despite the fact that at times the material 'Savatage' worked with is pretty lame, the performances are still strong and if it wasn't for the skilled guitaring of 'Criss Oliva' and the stunning vocals of his brother, 'Fight for the Rock' would be a real duffer. This release also marks the first outing for 'Savatage' stalwart bass player 'Johnny Lee Middleton'.

The title track opens strongly and is one of the hardest tracks present, thankfully included are the usual powerful 'Jon Oliva' vocals and a strong driving rhythm, not too sure about the keyboard work but still a decent number. The tempo drops for the languid 'Out on the Streets', a light-weight reworking of the heavier track from 'Sirens', I'm not really impressed by this effort, although 'Jon Oliva' still sounds excellent even on this mellower effort. Another adaptation of an earlier song is 'Crying for you Love' and while better than 'Out on the Streets' with it's contrasting lightweight verses and powerful choruses it's still not trademark 'Savatage'. Things get a lot worse with a cover of 'Badfinger's' 'Day after Day', I don't like the original and I don't like this effortless version of a mediocre ballad. Improvements are made with 'The Edge of Midnight' and overlooking the intro, it's a decent enough song that's more in the classic 'Savatage' style, in fact it could easily be from 'Power of the Night'. This rocker definitely has more of an edge with a brooding approach, decent lyrics and the usual superb work we have come to expect from the 'Oliva' brothers. The good run continues with the powerful 'Hyde' and here 'Jon Oliva' really shines as he works the lyrics with controlled power, the instrumentation is also strong and definitely an album highlight. Things slip with the dull plodder 'Lady in Disguise' a tame 'Beatlesque' number that again is a revamped demo from earlier sessions, luckily the fine fretwork just manages to keep this tedious number's head above water. 'She's only Rock 'N Roll' is a fair effort that features some great 'Criss Oliva' soloing, unfortunately the lyrics are dire and so very predictable. Next up is a cover of 'Free's' 'Wishing Well' and while this isn't exactly Metal it's a good working of a respectable song, 'Jon Oliva' sounds excellent and the heavy plodding rhythm is also decent and unexpected. Last up is 'Red Light Paradise' a good chorus heavy rocker with strong riffs and a darker approach than most present- one of the more classic 'Tage' sounding tracks present.

As with all the re-mastered 'Savatage' albums two bonus tracks are included, the first is a live version of the stable 'The Dungeon's are Calling' and while this is a crunching cut it doesn't better the rendition included on the live album 'Ghost in the Ruins'. The second is 'City Beneath the Surface' performed at the same gig as the previous track, this again is superb, full of ripping vocals and dazzling fret work. All in all these two bonus track are worth the cost of the album alone.

While 'Fight for the Rock' is 'Savatage's' worst release, it's still not as bad as a lot make it out to be, as they don't completely give over to the commercial side and would still say there are four decent cuts here that would have quite easily made it onto 'Power of the Night'. 'Fight for the Rock' isn't a good example of their work though and doesn't make a good starting point if you are new to the band, if you are, try 'Streets', 'Hall of the Mountain King' and 'Gutter Ballet' as these are now classics.