TEN - STORMWARNING

\r\nTEN is a UK band which was formed by Gary Hughes, in 1994. After two successful solo releases and having already composed 28 songs for his third, he decided to divide these in two cds, one consisted of ballads and one of heavier tunes. The initial idea was to mix the album in the USA, so for the guitarist position famous guitarists were considered like Doug Aldrich, but when it was decided to record the guitar parts in England, Vinny Burns was called to get the job done. So the Hughes/Burns project evolved into a band situation, marking the first official incarnation of the band.
\r\nSTORMWARNING is the band’s ninth studio album and by the help of Mark Zonder (Fates Warning, Warlord) on drums and Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69) as a producer (also producer of Angra, Place Vendome, Sunstorm, Edenbridge among others), it seems that is another turn to their sound, after the more symphonic "The Twilight Chronicles"), returning back to "Babylon" era. The band has its own musical identity, since the beginning, due to Hughes’ unique voice and the almost epic feeling that evoke. In this release you will find great melodies, catchy vocal lines, epic atmospheres, powerful riffs and inspired keyboard themes, but after all we are used to such kind of compositions by TEN, even if after "Babylon" their releases were of lower standards, in my opinion.
\r\nSome of the highlights, in an overall good album, would be the opening track "Endless Symphony", the more powerful "Centre Of My Universe", the title track which brings in my mind the famous "After the Love Has Gone", the groovy "Invisible", "Love Song" with its catchy bridge and chorus, and "Destiny" with the guitar melodies which stuck in your mind instantly.
\r\nGenerally, STORMWARNING is a fine example of melodic/symphonic hard rock, highly recommended and a good "investment" for every fan of the particular scene, as the names of Gary Hughes and TEN, prove to be a guarantee for one more time.\r\n

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\r\nJohn "L.O.V.E Machine" Litinakis \r\n

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\r\n:.: Line Up\r\n

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\r\nGary Hughes - Vocals, Guitars, Backing Vocals
\r\nJohn Halliwell - Guitars, Acoustic Guitars
\r\nNeil Fraser - Guitars, Lead Guitars
\r\nPaul Hodson - Keyboards and Synthesisers, Programming
\r\nMark Sumner - Bass Guitars
\r\nWith Mark Zonder - Drums and Percussion \r\n

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