Album review: JOE LYNN TURNER – Belly Of The Beast

Mascot Label Group [Release date 28.10.22]

The album’s title gives a clue to Joe Lynn Tyner going full on metal, courtesy of his new found musical companion producer/songwriter Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy, Pain, Lindemann). He has also recently revealed he has alopecia since childhood, hence the years of wearing wigs which certainly gave Kerrang! magazine much fodder back in the day. Full marks to Joe Lynn Turner for this and for going down a musical direction he wants to, as opposed to what a label may want him to record.

His vocals are still in fine form and he sounds like he is having a ball on the melodic metal beast that is ‘Rise Up’. Easily one of the album’s stand outs, along with ‘Black Sun’, a bombastic mix of choral backing and chugging guitar, along with a Deep Purple approved Hammond in the mix.

Lyrically he pokes a big stick at lockdowns, corrupt government and the oppression of people’s wills. No fluffy stuff on here!

The big production ballad ‘Dark Night Of The Soul’ has a hint of Rainbow and his earlier melodic rock efforts, albeit with a grandiose swirl of strings and percussion. Peter Tägtgren gives the music plenty of depth featuring riffs galore on the majority of the songs.

‘Tears Of Blood’ and ‘Desire’ could both easily fit on a (Rob) Halford album. In fact, how about a duet with both singers? Now that would be something pretty special…

Those expecting a typical Joe Lynn Turner album full of melodic rock tunes steer well clear, however, if you are after a classy melodic metal album this one is a good choice. Be interesting to see if this is a permanent change of musical direction for Joe Lynn Turner or just something he had to get out of his system both musically and lyrically. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)