Domino Drive - Smoke And Mirrors (CD)

DOMINO DRIVE from Sweden and their massively keyboard-dominated AOR and melodic rock are great stuff. "Smoke And Mirrors", their debut album, is able to rock, though, too. Powerful guitars and roaring vocals are the key here. Frontman Jonas Tyskhagen (v/g WINDING ROAD) does a great job in all respects. Almost no weak composition and at least two highlight songs ("Starlet Queen" and "The Girl Who Never Was") can be found as well as a fine production. A few guest appearances by e.g. JJ Marsh (g, GLENN HUGHES) or Fredrik Folkare (g, UNLEASHED) complete the picture here in a very pleasant way. (MS)