Fifteen trademark cuts care of Timo Tolkki and co, mostly lifted from Japanese bonus tracks and other non-standard releases; we have a romping version of Judas Priest’s Bloodstone that Europe fans will cherish and a couple of takes on Rainbow classics, with equally Tempest-like qualities.
Indeed, the Finns stick to their guns throughout, with plenty of rattling rhythm, whirring guitars and slinky harpsichord keyboard lines from the opening Will My Soul Ever Rest In Peace to the devilish re-tread of a-ha’s Hunting High And Low. In between, there’s the spacey Requiem, with its Vangelis-like tone, the camp fire rock of What Can I Say? (with its sweet six-string), and a couple of ballads, such as the piano and acoustic Dream With Me. The chugging riffage of It’s A Mystery and all-action Cold Winter Nights trailblaze, before two decent enough demos, including the parping Freedom.
