Vengeance - Soul Collector
Metal Heaven

file under hardrock / aor

Sjak: The come-back album ‘Back In The Ring’ from 2006 was very well received and also the live record ‘Same, Same…But Different’ from 2007 showed much potential. It really seems that Vengeance is taking their return to the metal front very seriously, because also this new album ‘Soul Collector’ contains a lot of material which is very worthwhile checking out.

That isn’t really the case yet with opening track ‘Cross In The Rain’, which in my opinion in the weakest track of the whole record, despite the great, groovy guitar riff. It is the somewhat awkward chorus line, which causes the quality level to decrease a bit. The following, sleazy ‘Wait Until The Sun Goes Down’ appeals much more to me and is characterized by a mighty fine groove. It reminds me somewhat of the better Guns ‘N’ Roses songs, but then sung by a vocalist that can actually sing! The guitar parts of father and son Jan and Timo Somers are sparkling and singer Leon Goewie is singing like in his best days (maybe his best days are yet to come!). For me this is certainly one of the best songs of the album and a guarantee for a nice party in a live setting. Also the very swinging title tracks is quite convincing, especially due to the again great base riff, which by the way reminds me quite a lot of Megadeth. Of the other eight tracks presented here especially ‘Samurai’ (hello ‘Arabia’!), the beautiful sung ‘What The Hell’, the magnificent ‘I Never Felt That Way Before’ and the very groovy ‘So Many Times’ are standing out, but I must immediately add that the rest of the material is not too far behind in quality. That also accounts for the semi-acoustic closing track ‘Lean On me’ after a few listens, with which I had some doubts the first time I heard it.

Vengeance once again proves with this ‘Soul Collector’ album to be one of the very best bands from the Benelux area. With Highway Chile, Picture and Vengeance back where they belong to be, it looks like the eighties are returning. Sometimes life can really be beautiful…

Rating: 88/100 (details)

http://www.vengeanceonline.nl

Bestel nu bij

Vengeance - Soul Collector (CD)

€ 14.99