For fans of Hard Rock with its roots firmly set in the eighties.

A New Revenge are an all-new super-group fronted by Tim "Ripper" Owens with the rest of the line-up featuring Rudy Sarzo, James Kottak and journeyman guitarist Keri Kelli. As you can surmise from the names involved, they have a sound entrenched in eighties American Hard Rock; it's powerful yet highly melodious with a rebellious tone that screams of the LA Strip sound from back in the day. Their music is full of punchy choruses, strong vocal harmonies, energetic beats and invigorating guitar riffs that will not only excite but also have you cranking your stereos up to "eleven".

I was really impressed with Owens' vocals; I mainly know him for his more metallic material and high-pitched vocal style, but for this release his delivery and approach are rather different. It's clear he has more than one string to his bow vocally which he fully uses to deliver a much more varied and melodic performance. It's a Hard Rock record and as such he provides a vocal to fit the style or swagger of these tunes. I think many will be suitably impressed and those who are dismissive of him as simply a Rob Halford clone may be eating their own words after hearing this album.

On the whole, 'Enemies And Lovers' is a rambunctious, energetic affair with soaring melodies and melodic hooks liberally sprinkled throughout. It's an extremely memorable batch of songs featuring plenty of hooks that instantaneously grab you; it definitely delivers immediate musical gratification. These tracks are instant hits with me because of their massive sing-along choruses and intoxicating energy.

There are solid performances from all the musicians which make for a very enjoyable and satisfying listen. Although Owens' is strikingly impressive throughout, it would be an injustice not to highlight Kelli's immense guitar work. These killer guitar riffs are melodic, metallic and extremely catchy; he delivers perfect eighties guitar riff heaven!
On the surface, this may seem like a straightforward, bouncy Hard Rock record featuring songs destined for exhilarating live shows and making bodies dance around living rooms with careless abandon, but there is more depth to it than that. If you concentrate on the tracks, there are some deep, emotive and thoughtful lyrics giving these tunes a little more meat to their bones.

If you're a fan of Hard Rock with its roots firmly set in the eighties, then 'Enemies And Lovers' is an album you really need to check out!

Paul Woodward