Pretty Maids
Title: Kingmaker
Label:Frontiers srl
Release Date: 4th November 2016
Danish Metal Icons Pretty Maids return with "Kingmaker" three years after the commercially successful "Motherland".
The new Album is hugely vibrant, full to of Melodic Metal intensity that's impressive and mind blowing , especially when you step back , realise and remember that this band have been on the scene since 1981!
Band founders Ronnie Atkins and Ken Hammers talents are breath taking , Ronnie has an immense Vocal might , and Ken's guitar manship is out of this world . Add to the mix the mighty rhythm section of Rene Shades Bass ,with Allan Tschicaja on Drums .Pretty Maids are back kicking and screaming with their latest meaty offering.
Opening with the telling and lyrically superlative "When God Took A Day Off" an amazing song and without a doubt my favourite track on the album , one I keep returning to Atkins vocals are melodic yet menacing you can fully relate to the songs depth and meaning its a potent beginning that promises much.
The title track "Kingmaker" follows, its anathematic Metal rapture will have you singing along straight away this is catchy , a full blown Metal Delight.
Much Like the previous track "Face The World" has a sing along chorus ,then comes another highly addictive number "Humanize Me" captures your soul as the band deliver some delicious riff's and rhythms that will rock your world enveloped by the stunning vocals of Atkins, he would give any vocalists a run for their money ,his impressive voice is a highlight on the Ballad "Last Beauty on Earth" added to that the guitar solo ,this will melt even the hardest of hearts!`
"Bullseye" brings things back up to speed as the pressure cooker is turned up to the max this is a straight ahead sharp shooting rocker.
The excellent "King of The Right Here and Now" I just love the chugging feel this song has, then comes the guitar solo , wow , simply sublime. "Heavens Little Devil" follows , think driving down the highway with the sun roof down , blasting this tune out ,it has that summertime good time feel that just oozes class."Civilised Monsters" opens slowly then explodes into life , bang your head , punch the air and sing your lungs out , this is another track I keep returning to again and again. Actually the same can be said for all of the songs if am honest.
"Sickening" is hellishly powerful , with intelligently thought out lyrics ,it continues to have you absorbed, this is intense stuff and pertinent to the world we live in today ,added to that the Metal is glorious. "Was That What you Wanted" brings the Album to a close its a bombastic face melting finish to one helluva Album!
Pretty Maids should have been as big as their peers having had support slots with many household names Like Black Sabbath, Saxon, Deep Purple to name but a few in the past and, with huge success in Japan in the nineties the band have really only had relative success worldwide which is a shame lets hope "Kingmaker" sees the band get the full and deserved attention they rightly merit, Pretty Maids are in a word AWESOME! And "Kingmaker" is the Melodic Metal Album of the year hands down!!
Review :Seb Di Gatto Score:10/10
Review Written: 15.10.2016
Tracklisting
1.When God Took A Day Off
2. King Maker
3. Face The World
4. Humanize Me
5. Last Beauty On Earth
6. Bull's Eye
7.King Of The Right Here And Now
8.Heavens Little Devil
9. Civilized Monsters
10. Sickening
11. Was That What You Wanted
Band Line up: Ronnie Atkins - Vocals Ken Hammer - Guitars Rene Shades - Bass Allan Tschicaja - Drums