
I think I may have discovered a more criminally overlooked band than my beloved UFO and that is Pretty Maids!
If you're an old school 'metal head' the name may ring a bell. In the 1980's they were on their way to becoming not just the best band out of Denmark, but one of the top metal bands of the era. Sadly things didn't work out the way they should have but instead of looking at the past, lets look at the present and NOW!
'Motherland' is the latest from Pretty Maids and after one listen... I think it very well could be their best! Original members Ronnie Atkins (vocalist), Ken Hammer (guitars) are joined by Morten Sandager (keyboards), Allan Tschicaja (drums) and Rene Shades (bass) are a solid and tight unit that has created a metal / hard rock masterpiece.
The disc kicks off with 'Mother Of All Lies', an incredible blazing track that provides a great introduction to the band and gets you ready for what is to come. Tracks like 'To Fool A Nation' 'Motherland' and the incredibly textured 'Infinity' showcase some incredible musicianship and some beautiful playing.
The standout tracks for me are 'I See Ghosts' and 'Sad To See You Suffer' are songs that could (and should) be playing on rock radio stations... if they played any good music anymore. Musically, the band have a perfect blend of textured keyboards, swirling guitars, thumping rhythms and powerful vocals that all get their moment to shine. Under the direction of producer Jacob Hansen, this CD sounds fantastic, flows perfectly and I think will appeal to old and new metal fans.
I admit I'm so late (by about 30 years) to the Pretty Maids party! It shocks me to listen to their older music for the first time and hear the influences of Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Scorpions, Dream Theatre, UFO, Scorpions and Yngwie Malmsteen... all music I adore! How did I miss them?
Pretty Maids are making the coolest music of their careers and have continued to grow and just get better and better. If 'Motherland' is to be your introduction to the band, get ready. You will love what you hear and like me, be looking to collect everything by the band!
Matman Rating - 5 out of 5 late discoveries!