Title: Weapon UK : Rising from the Ashes
Artist: Weapon UK
Label: CD Baby
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 5032796029625
Genre: Rock

We start with a synth based intro with 'Prelude - The Awakening' which carrys on into 'Ride The Mariah!' which is not a song about sexual fantasies with Miss Carey, but a raw and heavy rocker with a solid drum beat driving the sound. This one 'Fountain Of Paradise' reminds me of classic Motley Crue (Dr Feelgod era), it's got that sleazy LA guitar rock sound, definately one for the American audience, semi-anthemic with a rich production. 'Warrior' has some nice basswork in the mix, one of those stop start type of songs, great backing vocals match the perfect lead vocal delivery, add to this a stunning riff heavy solo and you have a truly outstanding song. This is an updated version of the download song released back in 2011, 'Ready 4 U' still has that 'classic rock' feel, the backing vocal helps create a very melodic rock song, one might say 'Commercial' or perhaps 'Radio Friendly' rock in the vein of say Bon Jovi or old school Brian Adams. If this was re released as a single i would think it would gain major airplay. An ambient/sound fx/sample greets the beginning of 'Burning Skies' and actually reminds me of Ministry's NWO Redux (but slower), this is a dark song talking of the 'hand of Satan', the riff reminds me of Ozzy Osbourne's 'Over The Mountain' whilst the vocal style Danny has is reminiscent of Devin Townsend. The use of samples is very well done and works well with the solid riff and driving drumming. Look I'm sorry but 'Alamein' reminds me of the Scorpions 'Wind Of Change' and I hate that bloody song, so okay let's be objective, this is one of those acoustic rock ballad things with awesome production values, lead guitar work over acoustic guitar, harmonic vocal, nice backing vocals and it has that 'emotion' put into the vocal, but argghh no sorry not for me. Now 'Wonderland' has that kick-ass sound, but do I detect a hint of post black album Metallica in here? Could be something of load/reload, though to be fair the harmony is more melodic, definitely an American sound lurking here, you know like Dim Leppard perfected ! (yes i did spell that right!). Kind of back in that early Bon Jovi anthemic, shout it out loud sound with 'Blood Soaked Rock', soon to be blasting out of car radios on the highways of America. 'Bad Reputation' is not a cover of Joan Jetts classic nor Thin Lizzy's late 70's song, this is another sleazy sounding rocker, again the backing vocals give the song a sing a long feel. Dark and dirty riffs mix with some great bass work and that solid drumbeat keeps the whole thing moving. The final track is 'Celebration Time' and it's another well produced, radio friendly rocker, solid harmonies and some guitar work reminiscent of Graham Oliver on Saxon's classic '747'. So 34 years since the original line up were last in the studio together and the new song is 'Killer Instinct'. Added as a bonus track i wondered if it would be old school NWOBHM but actually it reminds me of The Sweet in their heavier moments, perhaps not surprising with Bruce on drums, mind you it could have been weirder if it had sounded like Inner City Unit (Baz's pre Weapon band with Nik from Hawkiwnd). Okay so what this is not is a NWOBHM sounding album by a band trying to re-create the old days, this is a solid, mature album by a band who have grown up and taken in rock music and all it's influences, what they have created is a brilliant 'Classic Rock' album. 9/10 Stu Tovell "Rising From The Ashes", the first new Weapon (UK) in almost 34 years is absolutely a masterpiece of Hard N 'Heavy. Certainly one of the best albums of the genre this year! Applause for the band, is without much surprise, the album of the month on Templo do Rock Radio. Congratulations to Danny Hynes (vocals), Jeff Summers (guitars), PJ Philips (bass) and Ian Sweeting (drums). Carlos Santos 'First listen over and I'm very impressed! There are a couple of instant classics on there right away, especially Ride The Mariah and Alamein. The production is fantastic, the songs are great, the band sound superb, the vocals are spot on, especially the harmonies, all in all it's a cracking melodic metal album. I guess I'm redoing my playlist for this week's show! Even the cover and packaging are great, excellent booklet too. You guys have much to be proud of with this one!' Campbell Stewart 'The Fatman Rock Show.

Tracks:
1.1 The Awakening (Prelude)
1.2 Ride the Mariah!
1.3 Fountain of Paradise
1.4 Warrior
1.5 Ready 4 U
1.6 Burning Skies
1.7 Alamein
1.8 Wonderland
1.9 Bloodsoaked Rock
1.10 Bad Reputation
1.11 Celebration Time
1.12 Killer Instinct

Audio Sample:
All soundclips are provided by Tidal and are for illustrative purposes only. For some releases, the tracks listed may not accurately represent the tracks on the physical release.