CD REVIEW: ALBION by Ten

ALBION by Ten
(Rocktopia Records)

UK based AOR rockers, TEN are back with their highly anticipated new album, 'Albion', the band's eleventh album. Gary Hughes (vocals, guitar), Dann Rosingana (guitar), Steve Grocott (guitar), John Halliwell (guitar), Darrel Treece-Birch (keyboards), Steve Mckenna (bass) and Max Yates (drums, percussion). The new album has everything a hard melodic rock/metal fan could want, combining elements of classical/symphonic rock and metal with progressive overtones. 'Albion' is not your typical arena rock, either. The songs are well constructed, and the production is flawless. The opening track, "Alone In The Dark Tonight", kicks things off in rocking fashion bursting into an all-out epic rocker. The mid tempo mover, "Battlefield", is another highlight. No matter if TEN are going for broke rockers like,"It's Alive", the muscular riff powered "A Smugglers Tale" and the catchy, "Die For Me" or ballads like "Sometimes Love Takes The Long Way Home", in my opinion, one of the best songs written by Gary Hughes or the melodic mover, "Wild Horses", they are all equally strong, with each song taking on its own identity and leaving a lasting impression well after the album is finished. You can expect explosive guitar parts and guitar shredding on all tracks, thick drumming that grants the album the very essence of 80's rock while Gary Hughes sings in his characteristic style of large choruses and inventive lyrics. The band sounds absolutely incredible here, and all of the details from the production to the cover artwork have been handled with impeccable style and precision. At the end of the day, Ten is still in top form, and still the most underrated band in the history of AOR, delivering a level of class, lyrical sophistication and melodic sense that is head and shoulders above any other band of their generation. Hands down! 'Albion' is amongst Gary Hughes' best works and is totally indicative of the "Ten"s musical ability as a group. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society/All Access Magazine