After being burned by purchasing a string of sub-par, tres expensive Japanese import CDs, it’s been a long time since I cared about Chris Impellitteri (apart from investigating a possible gig when I was organizing the BW&BK 6-Pack Weekends). With the reintroduction of Rob Rock, one of the great metal voices, that’s all changed and doubtful I’m the only one who feels that way! On the surface, ten tracks lasting just 43:02, the prospect this is money well spent is in the minority, but ultimately proves a sound investment (and can’t we all use that in these hard economic times).

Whatever the chicken-egg symbiosis between these born again rockers (is it Rock that brings out the frenetic playing in Impellitteri?) it sounds good. Both Rock and the guitarist come out of the gates screaming on the speedy title track.

The while fingers practice scales, the vocalist goes into glass shattering realm at the start of ‘Weapons Of Mass Distortion’, a song about the battle between science and religion over evolution. ‘The Vision’ opens with another fiery salvo, before a quick twinkling of ivories takes it into mid-tempo territory. Only the happy 80s pop of ‘Eyes Of An Angel’ and a juvenile anti-school rant (from middle agers?) ‘Hi-School Revolution’ stray from the winning formula found throughout “Wicked Maiden” (accent on wicked): guitar runs, histrionic effects and strong vocal performance within an upbeat context. Good stuff! ‘Holy Man’, the parable of Jesus sees Impellitteri switch emphasis to piano. The disc sort of peters out in the final quarter, reducing the overall score, but still a welcome return.