Album review: PRETTY MAIDS – Undress Your Madness

Frontiers [Release date 08.11.19]

This new album by the Pretty Maids (number 16 from a band who have been around for nearly 40 years now), has been overshadowed by the sad news that vocalist Ronnie Atkins has been diagnosed with lung cancer. It has also put a hold the band’s touring plans around this album. Here’s hoping he makes a full recovery and wishing him all the best.

Following on from their recent releases the Pretty Maids fill the album full of melodic hard rock/metal tunes, none more so than the double whammy of ‘Serpentine’ and ‘Fire Soul Fire’ which open the album. This band seem to write hook filled songs with ease and Ken Hammer still knows how to lay down a tasty guitar solo.

‘Slavedriver’ pounds away like a good ‘un, which lyrically pulls no punches either. ‘If You Want Peace (Prepare For War)’ quite possibly one of their heaviest, yet still melodic, tunes to date. Atkins vocals add suitable menace to the heavy riffs.

It is not all hard rocking action though as ‘Will You Still Kiss Me (If I See You in Heaven)´ is a great AOR song. Chris Laney adds a few keyboard fills to add the icing to this particular musical cake. ‘Strength Of A Rose’ is the other quieter moment, a psychedelically tinged ballad and another vocal tour de force from Ronnie Atkins.

Pretty Maids deliver again with another album full of memorable hard rock and melodic metal tunes. One band that always delivers album after album and long may they continue. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 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)