Spellbound - Rockin' Reckless (1985)

Another dose of '80s metal magic. This being the bands second opus after the superb 'Breaking The Spell.' Turn up the amps for this dose of what I believe is Swedish metal. This is pure macho metal - flying V-guitars, leather gloves, flailing hair, almost like a revved up Def Leppard in those vocals with a nice poppy edge at times, particularly on the excellent title track. The look may have imspired Steel Panther to carve a career, but this is molten metal at times, the guitar sound on the album is crystal clear, check out the struttin' chug of 'Drinking Alone' which has a denim n' leather Saxon feel whilst 'Streetprowler' is a wild dose of burning metal. Props must go to guitarists Al Strandberg and JJ Marsh. Even the keyboards are effective, and that's saying something. Great drum sound from Ola Strandberg on 'Heat It Up.' Nothing beats the type of metal that combines melody with meat. This record lives up to the title. 7.5/10