Getting their start in the early 70s, UFO has often delivered solid albums of no-nonsense hard rock with the most popular and regarded being 1974’s “Phenomenon” followed by “Lights Out” and “Obsession” culminating into the classic live “Strangers in the Night” in 1978 (and be sure to check out “No Place to Run” from 1980 and 81’s “The Wild The Willing and The Innocent” with Paul Chapman on guitar).

UFO’s 20th release, “The Visitor”, features original vocalist Phil Mogg and original drummer Andy Parker, along with the skilled Vinnie Moore on guitar (original bassist Pete Way was unable to participate due to his health).

True to form, the album contains several straight ahead meat and potatoe rockers like ‘Hell Driver’, ‘Villains & Thieves’ but leans more on slower numbers like second track ‘On The Waterfront’, ‘Living Proof’ and ‘Can’t Buy A Thrill’. If you are looking for the more metal (not that they ever really had one) side in UFO ‘Stranger in Town’ is carried by a heavier more weighty Deep Purplesque riff while ‘Saving Me’ and ‘Rock Ready’ (with a southern twang sounds like a Cinderella song from their album “Heartbreak Station”) features bluesy slide guitar.

“The Visitor” will satisfy long time fans but like their last two offerings “The Monkey Puzzle” and “You Are Here” from 2004 age has slowed down the spacecraft.