Black n' Blue - Without Love (1985)

Rather formulaic American hard rock/metal, featuring the talents of guitarist Tommy Thayer who now stars in Kiss, and vocalist Jamie St James. These guys were around a few years and reformed not long ago and released the stomping 'Hell Yeah' opus which I reviewed on here. Strangely, Black n' Blue exist on the same platueau as Kix, both being solid acts with a bit of hair metal pomp thrown in for good measure. Cool cut on this record is the semi-ballad 'Miss Mystery' and the Twisted Sister-esque stomp of the title cut, although James has a more standard vocal chant. The rather cheesily titled 'Rockin On Heaven's Door' opens up the record, the title not really doing them any favours, and it's a bubblegum stomp with Poison overtones. A few songs in and you can pretty much work out where the album is goin, certainly in one straight direction with a little fluff around the edges. Not a bad little band who lasted four records in the '80s. 7/10