Outtakes from last year’s “Love Catastrophe”, a somewhat disappointing (mellower/polished/more commercial) follow-up to their stunning 70s hard rock inspired (read Riot meets Vandenberg) debut. Comprised of Firewind’s “other” guitarist Bob Katsionis and drummer Mark Cross (who was also in Firewind for a short time), Outloud offer six additional songs: four newbies and alternate renditions of one track each from the aforementioned albums. I wouldn’t have been surprised if this came out between the LPs, prefacing a transition for the straight ahead rock to a smoother sound. However, as an afterthought to the initial “Catastrophe”, it can only be viewed as a (wise) step backwards.

There’s a little of that old spit & vinegar attitude in the likes of ‘Saints On Fire’ and a punky ‘Mr. Long Gone’, akin to the first go round. ‘Cross The Line’ is enjoyable rocker, unlike the multi-voiced Christmas love story/piano ballad ‘The Last Days Of December’. Bonus cuts include a flamenco guitar and whistling ‘Falling Rain’ ballad, while one of the debut’s stronger tunes, ‘We Run’, gets the piano and vocal treatment, which sees rock’s urgency and energy cut in half. ¾ of the original material shows promise for resurrecting (is that the right word after only two releases?) their career, but only time will tell if the catastrophes will be left in the past.