Unbelievably this is the tenth (hence the title) studio album for '.U.D.O.' and a very quick follow-up to the impressive 'Thunderball' released only the previous year, unfortunately though this isn't the album I had hoped for. The majority of tracks sounds like rehashes of previous songs, while lyrically this is even more unimaginative than usual, sure the distinctive vocals of 'Udo' are ever present and the instrumentation is strong as ever, but this is a pretty disappointing effort. 'Mission No. X' also welcomes new drummer 'Francesco Jovino' into the fold, following the departure of 'Lorenzo Milani'.

The album begins with the customary introduction, this ones titled 'Embarkation' and is an atmospheric instrumental piece that leads nicely onto the title track. 'Mission No. X' is typical '.U.D.O.', big chorus, driving rhythm and graced with characteristic dodgy lyrics, that said this is one of the better cuts, complete with hearty vocals and a solid guitar solo. Better still is '24 / 7', easily the finest song present, right from the off the rhythm work is sublime while the gang chanted chorus hits the spot, overall perhaps a little commercial but all comes together superbly. The album now starts to takes a turn for the worst and the rot sets in with 'Mean Streets', the sluggish spoken intro is poor while the rest of the song is just a rehash of other chorus heavy, tough sounding '.U.D.O.' songs- no development at all present. Worse still is the lyrically inept 'Primecrime on Primetime' a dull plodder that's lyrically not even worth mentioning, only the instrumental sections save this from utter disaster. The first of the albums two ballads follows, this ones titled 'Eye of the Eagle' and while it's better than the previous couple of tracks, I've never and never will think 'Udo's' vocals suit this type of song and ultimately find this unsatisfactory. Improvements are made with 'Shell Shock Fever' a simple chorus heavy rocker which '.U.D.O.' traditionally excel at and while this isn't one of their finest, there's plenty of energy and some deft fret work toward the end. 'Stone Hard' ensues and despite bag-fulls of promise with the rhythmical intro, descends into a pretty directionless number, which by the close has completely lost its way. It's back to basics again with the more energetic 'Breaking Down the Borders' and while not a poor track, doesn't quite go the distance, thought the guitar solo is splendid as are 'Udo's' gravel like vocals. The second ballad is brought about by 'Cry Soldier Cry' and as with the previous 'Eye of the Eagle' is just sloppy filler, the trite chorus is especially dire and another ineffective effort. 'Mission No. X' closes more positively, 'Way of Life' is energetic, graced with solid rhythm and takes a more punchy approach, while the 'Raven' implicative 'Mad for Crazy' is lyrically basic, but highlights some of the best instrumentation on the whole album and finds 'Udo' on fiery form.

I've always been a stout defendant of 'U.D.O.' but this is uninspiring stuff and ultimately short of the mark, a lot more thought and creativity needs to go into 'Mission No. XI' as this is noticeably below par.