KINGDOM COME – Hands Of Time [Japan HR-HM 1000 reissue series] (2018) Exclusive

Universal Music Japan has started this year a curious but more than welcomed campaign: the reissue of long time out of print albums from their catalog titled ‘HR/HM 1000’, that meaning Hard Rock / Heavy Metal at the price of 1000 Yen = about 9 USD.
Into these series, appear this “Hands Of Time”, KINGDOM COME‘s underrated – and unknown by many – third album.

In 1989, Kingdom Come released their second LP, ‘In Your Face’, with (initially), strong sales to rival their platinum selling debut, when the band abruptly broke up for personal reasons in August, 1989.
Without the rest of the band, lead vocalist and primary songwriter Lenny Wolf choose to retain the band’s name and record a third album; the band’s final international release on Polygram.

Co-writing most the songs with Carol Tatum (Angels Of Venice), Wolf recorded the album with several session guitarists and drummers, including future Poison guitarist Blues Saraceno, and former Dancer drummer Bam Bamm Shibley, among others.
As well as singing and co-writing all the songs, Wolf also played bass, some guitar, and produced the album.

While on many aspects “Hands Of Time” should be considered a Lenny Wolf solo album, the Kingdom Come spirit is all over here.
Just listen to ‘Should I’, the great guitar / keyboard mix of ‘Can’t Deny’, the very good ‘You’re Not The Only… I Know’, or the excellent piece of balladry that is ‘You’ll Never Know’ (where Wolf’s vocals shine).
In fact, pretty much every single track on this album is very good, consistent, and a sincere collection of songs from Lenny.

Originally released in 1991 and even though there is only a three and a half year difference between Kingdom Come’s platinum debut, “Hands Of Time” is more mature lyrically and ‘classic sounding’ than the band’s previous albums.
And that’s a good thing, Wolf offers something different here, timeless melodies with a personal touch.

Poorly promoted by the recording label, listen to this really good album for yourself and you’ll be undoubtedly puzzled why you never heard anything from it before.
So this is a more than welcomed reissue, not remastered, but this Japanese press sounds great. It may be the new digital transfer technique – which augment the signal / Dynamic Range – so having this for less than ten bucks is a great deal.
Highly Recommended

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Universal Music Japan ～ 【UICY-78647】
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01 – I’ve Been Trying
02 – Should I
03 – You’ll Never Know
04 – Both Of Us
05 – Stay
06 – Blood On The Land
07 – Shot Down
08 – You’re Not The Only… I Know
09 – Do I Belong
10 – Can’t Deny
11 – Hands Of Time
12 – Don’t Need To Justify [Japan Bonus Track]

Lenny Wolf – lead vocals, guitar, bass
Bert Meulendijk – guitar
Marco Moir – guitar
Blues Saraceno – guitar
Steve Burke – drums
Jimmy Bralower – drums
Bam Bamm Shibley – drums
Koen van Baal – keyboards

BUY IT !
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UICY-78647
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