TEN – Isla De Muerta [Japanese Edition] (2015)

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At this point one of the stalwarts from the UK melodic hard rock scene, TEN return with their follow up to last year’s great Albion with “Isla De Muerta”, to be released in few days but just appeared in Japan. This “Isla De Muerta Japanese Edition” features an exclusive bonus track, but the Euro will have its exclusive extra track as well.

Gary Hughes, an undisputed warlock of songwriting, and the lads deliver a masterclass with this themed epic that flutters effortlessly between pomp flavored AOR and punchy hard rock tunes.
The best thing about this recent revival in Ten’s fortunes is Gary’s refined production skills. “Isla De Muerta” features a massive sound, mixing a triple powerhouse guitar attack with a rich deep organ and keyboard presence, all mixed into a clean wall of sound by Dennis Ward.

Opening with the intriguing instrumental ‘Buccaneers’, an electric guitar slowly creeps into the arena with ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’. The three-part lead guitar harmonizing gives this song a genuine seafaring feel to it, all the while maintaining that melodic / hard rock stamp. Superb opener.

The classic melodic Ten vibe is revisited in all of its glory in the follow up track ‘Tell Me What To Do’. Opening with kicking drums and a very suave guitar lick, you begin to get what you’re used to from these guys. A keyboard filled pomp rocker where the chorus, as ever, is catchy as hell and will play nice with your ears, no doubt. This song is a winner and definitely throwing punches among the top three on the record.
‘This Love’ is a terrific classic Gary Hughes ballad with soaring vocals and guitars all the way. You’ve heard it before from Gary, but I’m happy to keep hearing quality ballads like this.

‘Acquiesce’, one of the album’s undisputed gems, pleases me in several respects then. Beautifully titled and cleverly put together, this song is another demonstration of what we have come to expect from this melodic rock heavyweight. A sublime fusion of synth, squealing guitar, relentless rhythm and another hook-laden chorus, this track is another champion.
‘The Dragon And Saint George’ features swirling keyboards, fast twisting vocals and keeps up a decent pace throughout. ‘Intensify’ is another fast moving melodic rocker, but this one stands out for a brilliant vocal melody in the chorus and a classic Ten sound. Love this one and it runs over 7 minutes.

The even more epic ‘The Valley Of The Kings’ is reminiscent of the Name Of The Rose album, taking a long way around approach, with soloing guitars all over and majestic keys.
‘Revolution’ is one of the heavier numbers; a punchy fast moving hard rocker with some impressive metal guitar soloing. Same with the moody and heavy ‘Angel Of Darkness’ which moves even faster, with drummer Max Yates earning his keep.
‘The Last Pretender’ is a 7 minute melodic rock gem with a big groove and another appealing chorus structure. It seems simple, but this track has an elaborated structure and great arrangements.

As the opossite with most Ten albums which end with a ballad (at least the European releases), this Japanese Edition of “Isla De Muerta” features as bonus “Assault And Battery” and title indicates this is not a slow tune. Not, this is a melodic hard rocker with sharp guitar riffs, swirling solos and groovy vocals by Gary. A kicking track.

“Isla De Muerta” it’s another must have for long time Ten devotees and anyone who really enjoyed Gary Hughes & Co. early works. In many ways, this new album is a return to Ten’s origins in the songwriting department.
But sonically, this is 2015: big guitars, big production, big pomp and and overall punchy delivering yeat always melodic.
Highly Recommended.

Marquee / Avalon Japan
テン/イスラ・デ・ムエルタ MICP~11210

01. Buccaneers / Dead Men Tell No Tales
02. Revolution
03. Acquiesce
04. The Dragon And Saint George
05. Intensify
06. This Love
07. Karnak / The Valley Of The Kings
08. Tell Me What To Do
09. Angel Of Darkness
10. The Last Pretender
11. Assault And Battery (Japanese Bonus Track)

Gary Hughes – Vocals
Dann Rosingana – Guitars
Steve Grocott – Guitars
John Halliwell – Guitars
Steve Mckenna – Bass
Darrel Treece-Birch – Keyboards
Max Yates – Drums

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www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/MICP-11210
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