Lancer - Tempest (CD)

LANCER start right away with full force. Let alone the opener "Purest Power" shine. The Swedish outfit showcases a great sense for hooklines and their melodic power metal will please their fans for sure. The fourth album of the five-piece contains ten songs which are well-produced and offer no fillers whatsoever. You get a little bit of HELLOWEEN here and a bit of IRON MAIDEN there as well as elements from HAMMERFALL, FREEDOM CALL and the like but there is enough originality in their songwriting, too. Most of the songs are fast and it's frontman Jack L. Stroem foremost who sticks out in a very positive way. (MS)