EQUATOR

Their last album "Head First" was a very good surprise for me. When I listen to the opener "Rockarama", I'm afraid that this one will not be on par. The AOR sound again is pretty present. This side of the Heep (or any other band that have endorsed this genre like Yes for instance) has never convinced me. Actually, I quite hate it. Unfortunately, the Heep will go on the same mood with "Bad Blood". Again, an insipid AOR number, almost a carbon copy of the opener.

We'll get a smooth break with "Lost One Love" : a nice rock ballad like lots of hard-rock bands will produce in their career. Nice guitar break and good bass playing (welcome back Trevor). This song does not really belong to their repertoire though. Still, the best number so far. We'll go back on their pop-rock side with "Angel" which they investigated in "Conquest". At times, it reminds me furiously of Bruce Springsteen. Again, a good rock song.

Although I have a mixed feeling about "Holding On" which again goes AOR and is not my fave here. "Party Time" is pure hard-rock, but tasteless, I'm afraid. You can hear, very briefly but several times, some silmilarities with "Paranoïd" (but this one was a jewel of a song). The longest number "Poor Little Rich Girl" starts like a rock ballad and develops into a pompous song a la "Salisbury" (I had the same impression already on their previous album with ""Roll-Overture"). Rather weak.

"Skools Burning" is one of my preferred song on this album : a solid rock number like the Heep should release more. It really kicks you. The song flows nicely into "Heartache City" which is also a good hard-rocking number. Great rythm with a very good guitar work (what would the Heep have been without Mick).

Fortunately, the closing number "Night of the Wolf" is superb. I really do not understand the band when they decide the song list. This should have been the opener, with no doubt. Strong melody, great rhythm and fabulous backing band. Another great Heep song.

But this is not enough to make even a decent album. I would rate it two stars.