PICTURE – Traitor [Deluxe Edition digitally remastered +3]

More remastered stuff from Dutch metal / hard rockers PICTURE, this time with the Deluxe Edition of their pivotal record “Traitor“, for the first time on CD plus 3 bonus tracks.
Released in 1985, “Traitor” mark a turning point in Picture’s career, adding to their previous Euro metal riff toms of commercial melodies and a catchy hard rock groove.

Originally issued on LP and cassette in 1985, “Traitor” was Picture’s second — and, at the time, final — album with English frontman Pete Lovell.
This period signaled a shift towards a slightly more commercial hard rock direction, under pressure from a record label hoping to mirror the massive success of American acts. But make no mistake: ‘Traitor’ remain packed with hard-hitting traditional metal riffs and absolutely anthemic choruses — a logical next step on the heels of the band’s 1983 Eternal Dark.

So what does the album actually sound like? The production is of course Mid-80s sounding with that ”snare” drum sound that everyone was looking for after Def Leppard released Pyromania.
The disc opens with title track ”Traitor” which is an uptempo rocker with a nice drumbeat driving the song forward. It is a classic classic metal tune with hard rock pulse and sets the pace for the rest of the album. ”Why do you question the rules set by your king” Lovell shouts out loud. No commercial hints here at all.

It is followed by maybe the strongest song on the album called ”Right Now”. This tune is a midtempo heavy rocker with a great guitar riff, a heavy thumping bass groove, and a cool hook. Definitely one of my favorite cuts on the album and should be a staple at live shows. The gang vocals are all in there as well, very Americanized.

With the song ”Fantasies” you can hear those poppy choruses and a songwriting trying to make a hit song. It is also the first single off the album, with a commercial, radio ready approach.
But ”Dyin’ to Live” rocks again with a contagious hook. Lovell‘s vocals on this song are ‘shout it loud’, very ’80s. We go on with ”Lost in the Night” and now we put the pedal to the metal and this is the fastest song on the album with British first half of the Eighties sound.

”State of Shock” kicks off with a heavy riff from Van Jaarsveld and Van Manen: twin guitar attack. It’s classic jhard / melodic metal with an infectious and memorable hook that tends to stay in your mind for a while. During the stick in the middle of the song with are treated with a real guitar duel.
“Loud n’ Proud” is quite catchy as well in its midtempo pace, same with ”Out of Control” another ”Picture style” rocker with a screaming vocal chorus line from Lovell. It is another one of these feel-good rockers that Picture are so good at.

The album closes with the fantastic semi-ballad ”We Don’t Need to Hide” which together with ”Right Now” and ”State of Shock” are my favorite cuts on Traitor. Lovell‘s vocals really shine on this song where he uses another part of his vocal range.

As a bonus, on this remastered reissue we get the rare ”Fantasies” EP with three additional songs.
The first two are ”Fantasies” (long version) and a new recording of the classic Picture track ”Bombers” which originally appeared on the debut album way back in 1980.
But the real gem in this package is song number 3. It’s a hooky riff monster called ”Rock on Tonight” which has not been released anywhere else. In hindsight, this should, of course, have been included on the album. This is a great song and goes into my favorite tracks here.

“Traitor” packs music for all audiences: is a great album with plenty of heavy riffing, soaring guitars, double bass drumming and the screaming vocals of Pete Lovell, but also melodic hard rockers with an Euro feel and some ‘Americanized’ radio target.
Anyway, this is definitely an ’80s metal album (now called classic rock by many) and a little variation on a couple of the songs only enhances the overall impression.
“Traitor” is one of the stronger albums in Picture’s discography. It is beyond my comprehension why this album has not been released on CD until now.
Highly Recommended

You’ve seen it first here, at 0dayrox

01 – Traitor
02 – Right Now
03 – Fantasies
04 – Dyin’ To Live
05 – Lost In The Night
06 – State Of Shock
07 – Loud ‘N Proud
08 – Out Of Contol
09 – We Don’t Need To Hide
BONUS TRACKS (“Fantasies” 12” EP):
10 – Fantasies (Long Version)
11 – Bombers (1985 Version)
12 – Rock On Tonight

Pete Lovell – Vocals
Henry van Manen – Guitar, Keyboards
Chris van Jaarsveld – Guitar
Rinus Vreugdenhill – Bass
Jacques van Oevelen – Drums

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