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TEN
Albion

Rocktopia (2014)
Rating: 7.5/10

Having released their debut opus X back in 1996, British melodic hard rockers Ten were well received in the UK and more understandably Japan, and yet in spite of shifting some 100,000 units of that debut they slipped under the radar of many. Even so, since their inception – and a few line-up changes – Ten has made a steady rise to stardom and Albion is their 11th studio album based around the huge talent that is vocalist Gary Hughes.

For this opus Hughes has drafted in two new members; Steve Grocott and Dann Rosingana, both accomplished guitar players who join drummer Max Yates, bassist Steve McKenna, keyboardist Darrel Treece-Birch, and long-standing rhythm guitarist John Halliwell.

And so, with a potent backdrop and two lead guitarists Ten has built ten solid, soulful melodic rock numbers beginning with the fluent croon ‘Alone In The Dark Tonight’ with its angular percussion and dazzling leads. With Hughes at the production helm and aided by Dennis Ward (mixing / mastering) it’s fair to say that every instrument is given the chance to shine on every track rather than just providing a steady backdrop for Hughes’ voice.

Ten explores the weightier side of melodic rock with ‘Battlefield’, a nice number featuring a hardy guitar and drum sound but which also treads within more subtle waters where almost dream-like landscapes are created by those meandering solos. Admittedly, I do find this sort of harmonious rock rather tepid at times and I’m often left cold by the clinical nature of such modern design, but when Albion is good it’s very good. And even at its less than earth-shattering moments I’m still in some way comforted by it, fully appreciative of the methodical nature of the songs – all of which incidentally run for around five minutes or more.

My favourite tracks are ‘It’s Alive’, with its fantastic intro, and ‘Sometimes Love Takes The Long Way Home’, a gorgeous ballad of soaring solos and warm piano threaded throughout. There are a few down points too, or certainly a few tracks that haven’t grown on me – the first of these being ‘Albion Born’ which in spite of its impressive percussion I seem to find a tad cheesy, but hey that’s just me. I’m also finding little to savour from ‘Gioco D’Amore’. But for every low there are numerous highs such as ‘A Smuggler’s Tale’ and the bruising ‘It Ends This Day’.

I’d describe the sound of Ten as poetical metal; a sound perfectly orchestrated by Hughes’ fine art of melody. But it’s still an acquired taste and I’d say that Albion will no doubt please the fans but remain lukewarm to others who expect more fire in the belly of their chosen heroes.

Neil Arnold

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