EUROPE – Wings Of Tomorrow [Japanese Blu-Spec CD2 remastered]

Japanese remastered editions of EUROPE first albums have been requested several times here, so let’s go with Europe’s second effort “Wings Of Tomorrow“. It has been pressed on high quality Blu-SpecCD2, Sony Music’s answer to SHM-CD.

Far many, “Wings Of Tomorrow” is the perfect Europe album. It combines their early grand metallic leanings with the keyboards and anthemic sheen they would later become known for.
Like the first Europe album, it’s loaded with hard rockers, a ballad, and an instrumental guitar workout. The same lineup from the last album was intact, with the major difference being Joey Tempest sounding much more ‘smooth’ and adding his own played keyboards to the mix.

From the first moments of the opening track ‘Stormwind’, you can tell that this album is going to dig into your mind. The riffs and leads are undeniably infectious, and while they are decidedly simple and catchy, they’re still packed with lots of energy. Joey Tempest’s voice is soaring and passionate, sounding genuinely emotional, effectively spearheading the charge of the band.
Second up is the ferocious ‘Scream of Anger’ featuring Norum playing the heavily distorted riff through a talk box and some killer double bass drumming. This is a solid burner, taking no prisoners rocking track.

The best known song on the album is ‘Open Your Heart’ which a later lineup of the band re-recorded for the underrated Out Of This World record. I prefer the re-recorded version because it includes an additional guitar part and a midtempo AOR feel, but this original version is still a great song though, and probably the first great Europe mid-tempo / power ballad.
The angry prowler ‘Treated Bad Again’ takes us back into metal territory with a British style, then title track ‘Wings Of Tomorrow’ is driven by a jagged guitar riff that juxtaposes nicely with Joey’s smooth voice.
‘Wasted Time’ also rocks hard with the keyboards giving it a dramatic atmosphere, and ‘Lyin’ Eyes’ maintains the momentum via a driving guitar work.

All this sets the stage for the penultimate song, and one the best ballad Europe ever recorded: ‘Dreamer’. It’s a piano power ballad, but not in the pop / AOR vein of Carrie, this one’s just a Classic Rock ballad, much like you’d find on the first Europe album, but refined a bit. The chorus remind me of Infinity-era Journey with an early Steve Perry ring to it.
“Wings Of Tomorrow” closes with the reckless pace of ‘Dance the Night Away’ which sounds nothing like what its title implies: it’s heavy and party-like, pumped by a fast burning riff, melodic verses and plenty of solos.

“Wings Of Tomorrow” is Europe’s prelude to stardom before Joey Tempest started to write chart-breaking awesome melodic hard hits, but all the songs here already displayed his intuitive gift for melody, which really comes through on this album.
The record blend Europe’s early heaviness with catchy melodious grooves, for many, the perfect combination of styles.
I don’t know if it is the quality of the physical Blu-SpecCD2 manufacturing, but this remaster of “Wings Of Tomorrow” sounds fabulous.
Highly Recommended.

Sony Music Japan ~ 【Blu-SpecCD2 ~ SICP-30395】
ヨーロッパ / ＷＩＮＧＳ ＯＦ ＴＯＭＯＲＲＯＷ

01 – Stormwind
02 – Scream Of Anger
03 – Open Your Heart
04 – Treated Bad Again
05 – Aphasia
06 – Wings Of Tomorrow
07 – Wasted Time
08 – Lyin’ Eyes
09 – Dreamer
10 – Dance The Night Away

Joey Tempest – vocals, acoustic guitars, keyboards
John Norum – guitars, background vocals
John Levén – bass guitar
Tony Reno – drums

BUY IT !
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/SICP-30395
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