On learning that former Helloween mates Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen (who has since gone on to a stellar career fronting Gamma Ray) rejoined forces in Unisonic, metalheads have had visions of “Keeper Pt 3” dancing in their beer addled heads. Sadly (and admittedly honest in statements from both men), this is NOT a metal project, Kiske still getting back into rock music after a long absence, Hansen happy to re-connect with an old friend and do something “different” from his day job.

The opening, signature track and ‘We Rise’ are metalized numbers, as heavy and fast as people had hoped, but the remaining nine selections (including ‘My Sanctuary’ which was part of “Ignition”, a pre-release 4-song Ep, along with ‘Unisonic’ and the demo version of ‘Souls Alive’, heard here in finalized form) offer a sampling of the rock spectrum, preferring a slower to mid-paced variety. That’s not to say the material is bad/weak, just not what most headbangers had wished for, hearing these two had reunited. Perhaps next time?

Now, we have synthesized orchestral backing on occasional lively numbers, punctuated by Hansen’s undeniably metal guitar, although the pop-punk of ‘Never Too Wait’ recalls Green Day more than Teutonic metallic tradition. Kiske does unleash a semblance of that classic stratospheric voice on the otherwise mundane ‘Star Rider’. Half way through the disc, ‘Renegade’ is the first time Hansen gets a vocal moment apart from backing harmonies. A plodding, staccato ‘King For A Day’ adds some grit, while the ‘No One Ever Sees Me’ finale is a full-blown piano/orchestral ballad. Ah, what might have been!