Whitesnake - Forevermore (2011)

This is Coverdale and co's eleventh studio outing, and what a fine record it is. The album opens with the the grooving 'Steal Your Heart Away,' featuring killer harmonica strut and Coverdale's distinctive lion roar over those bluesy, yet driving guitars showcasing the talents of Beach and Aldrich. Some are saying this is the best Whitesnake album for many years, but I am of the opinion that the band have been pretty consistent since the late '80s anyway. 'All Out Of Luck' has a bruising swagger about it, lead majestically by the drum sound Brian Tichy who rocks the beat throughout the record. The heavy groove continues into the funked up third track 'Love Will Set You Free,' but the guys choose to mellow the mood with the more sultry 'Easier Said Than Done,' an almost typical Whitesnake slow burner but the fire is soon to return on the Zeppish groove of 'Tell Me How' and 'I Need You (Shine A Light') begins with a Faces/Stones swagger and strut, great stuff. To be honest of the thirteen tracks on offer there's not a duff moment, the album is littered with cutting guitars, and Coverdale rarely lets up from a full steam ahead vocal attack. 'Dogs In The Street' is driving metal, but it's the epic seven-minute title cut that closes the record that puts the icing on the cake, a reflective acoustic ballad that brings to mind Whitesnake of old before hitting a Zeppish 'Kashmir' type of Eastern groove. So, for old fans, and current fans, Whitesnake 2011 is an accomplished outfit, and a band who, despite being around seemingly centuries, will no doibt attract new fans with 'Forevermore.' 7.5/10