CD review VENGEANCE "Piece of cake"

It is to Vengeance credit that they never give up. It's without doubt that they had their highlight in 1989 when the band released the fantastic "Arabia" album. Vengeance came never again close to this masterpiece. But they had a really great comeback in 2006 with the "Back in the ring" album. In the meantime we are again 7 years further in time and in these days the band releases their new album "Piece of cake". It's remarkable, that Timo Somers, son of the in 2011deceased Jan Somers, tried to give the band a more contemporary style. Partly this worked out, but anyhow is is a fantastic guitar player and it looks like if he would energize the whole band.

Looking to the songs of the album I have to say that there are some really great ones on this record, but there are also more average tracks here and there.

"Tears from the moon" is one of the good songs. It is kept in mid-speed including some acoustic parts. "The fast "Raintime" is also more than worth to listen to. Than there is also the bluesy "Back to square one" which could almost be seen as a tribute to Gary Moore and it also shows that Somers knows how to handle a guitar. "Headquake" convinces with a cool chorus and "Mirrors" comes with a great groove.

Next to those mentioned songs there are also the more average ones. "Sandman" is one of the dispensable songs. The same goes for "Train", which definitely no fast train. It sounds more like a delayed train. Unfortunately also the title track is more an average song, even though it supposed to the "the party song" on the album. The chorus just does't stick.

Fortunately the album ends with the slow and intensive "Goodbye mother sky". A groovy hardrock track which accentuate Leon's voice in a great way. The solo is also very remarkable.

That all means, that "Piece of cake" has some great songs but suffers from some fillers. But I think that Vengeance fans will like the album anyhow. For all others - check it out yourself.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. World arena
2. Tears from the moon
3. Raintime preload
4. Raintime
5. Sandman
6. Back to square one
7. Headquake
8. Train
9. Mirrors
10. Piece of cake
11. Googbye mother sky

Label: Steamhammer/SPV

Genre: Hardrock