It seems a long four years since 'Planet Panic', but Denmark's favourite Melodic Rockers are back with the excellent 'Wake Up to the Real World'. At the time of writing, I'm not overly familiar with their music, but I like the slightly quirky Melodious Metal exhibited on this album, which at times is reminiscent of a more gritty 'Dokken' contrasting some nice European influences. There's also a credible balance of songs with a strong mix of rockers and ballads without overdoing the latter, while the material is consistently catchy and well performed. 'Wake Up To The Real World' also mark the first outing for new drummer 'Allan Tsichaja' formally of 'Royal Hunt'.

Kicking us off is the mid paced title track, a fairly commercial, carefree sounding affair which occasionally drifts into 'Ratt' territory thanks to the heavy handed riff, that said it's typically catchy, wonderfully sung and features a cracking 'Reb Beach' style guitar solo from 'Ken Hammer'. Slightly brisker is the quirky rocker 'All in the Name of Love', which ebbs and flows to a divine pulsating rhythm, lyrically simplistic but effective in the 'Dokken' mould, while being graced with another sublime, albeit heavier solo. The darker more modern sounding 'I Am the End' ensues in a more gritty fashion, 'Ronnie Atkins' produces some excellent vocals going from punishing to melodic seamlessly and is well supported by a solid riff driven melody for one of the best cuts present. More reminiscent of 'Westworld' is the semi acoustic 'As Guilty as You', a very respectable harmonious mid tempo song, that again is sublimely sung and all told another exacting performance, that comes complete with an additional sweet guitar solo. Much brisker is the 'Dokken' style rocker 'Why Die for a Lie', 'Ronnie Atkins' again displays his talents as he goes from melodic to a raspy 'Mat Sinner' style, whist the driving pulsating rhythm keeps the song moving gloriously- top track. The tempo falls for the more AOR of 'Such a Rush', which thankfully still has it's more edgy moments thanks to some heavier verses, but the chorus is pretty weak and too light-weight for my liking. Returning to 'Westworld' territory is the passionately performed 'Where True Beauty Lies', 'Ronnie Atkins' turns in an exacting performance and is well supported throughout, ultimately hardly the most original song, but the 'Pretty Maids' do a fine job with it. The momentum is lifted with one of the briskest cuts present 'Brave Young New Breed', which is comparable to a cross between current heavier 'Dokken' and 'Sinner', in fact 'Ronnie Atkins' more aggressive approach sounds very similar to 'Mat Sinner' and overall makes for another excellent track, that comes complete with rigorous rhythm work and fine guitar licks. The pace is maintained with the riff driven 'Terminal Violence' and despite not being quite as catchy as the pervious rocker is still top notch thanks to another meticulous performance. A cover of the 'Deep Purple' classic 'Perfect Strangers' ensues and initially I had big reservations, thankfully 'Pretty Maids' stick very closely to the original and it comes off very well, I wouldn't say it surpasses the original but it's a good strong version- 'Ronnie Atkins' sounds great on this! The album closes with the 80's style power ballad 'Another Shot of Your Love', as power ballads go this is pretty decent, but ultimately not my cup-of-tea.

Very consistent material here, ok it's not the most original Metal to grace a CD player, but it's still got enough of an edge to make you sit-up and notice. I'm sure this will please fans of the 'Pretty Maid' and Melodic Metal alike.