I eventually brought this album after seeing it many times and staying well clear, the past links with 'Whitesnake' putting me off, but for four quid I though I would give it a go. I was shocked to put it mildly, I expected 'Whitesnake' style love ballads, but found some quite exquisite Hard Rock / Metal with a great production to match. In fact there's only two tracks on the album I don't like, the stupidly titled 'Jelly Roll' and the cliché power ballad 'Out of Love', both of which are reminiscent of the previously mentioned 'Whitesnake's' Pop Metal. With the exception of these the rest are a real treat.

Firing us off is the blazing 'Riot', a catchy piece with sweet vocal work from 'Sykes' who incidentally has a commendably good voice, not dissimilar from his old accomplice 'David Coverdale'. The tempo is dropped slightly for the grooving 'Sex Child' a slick number that features a mid track slow down, that is reminiscent of 'Zeppelin', overall a nice song, lyrics are a bit close to the knuckle though!. Next up is 'Valley of the Kings' a track which borders on the epic, full of rich plodding Eastern sounds and combines melodic vocals with delicious riffs for a excellently executed formidable number. The title track kicks off the second half, another sharp cut with superb guitar soloing, sweet chugging rhythm and catchy lyrics. 'Billy' starts off as a typical 80's 'Whitesnake' rocker, but picks up into another top groover, again the axe work is emphatic with the hard rocking solo, the nice changes of pace also give this track another edge. The album closes with possibly the best two songs, 'Ptolemy' is a nasty, darker number, with an Eastern sound almost Dioesque in style, the slow plod is most effective and the guitar work is startlingly good, my pick of the album, a real corker. 'Black Hearted Woman' is a fast and powerful rocker, that combine a solid groove with excellent lyrics, and all told sounds like one of the best songs 'Whitesnake' have ever written, but unfortunately for them they never penned it.

I would rate this release over most of 'Whitesnake's' material and if you spot this gem for four notes like I did, pick-it-up and be surprised.