Frontiers Music [Release date : 28.03.25]
Fourth album from WET, whose ranks have swollen from three members to six.
What was once Robert Sall (Work Of Art), Erik Martensson (Eclipse) and Jeff Scott Soto (Talisman), is now those three plus Andreas Passmark (W), Magnus Henricksen (E) and Jamie Borger (T).
And the six strong band sounds different. As the old cliché goes, we get a game of two halfs.
Openers, ‘Believer’ (Giant anyone?) and ‘House On Fire’ blitz through a breathtaking bunch of richly melodic twists and ear-catching hooks, all reminiscent of the genre’s glory days. They signal a deep dive into a past that might remind aficionados why they got into melodic rock in the first place.
But it’s the next three tracks, expansions of a world that worked best on the simplest of terms, that really make an indelible mark here.
‘What Are We Fighting For?’ and ‘Where Are The Heroes?’ are big on everyman philosophy. The mature grain of Soto’s voice make the self explanatory sentiments work, joining vocals with Martensson on the latter song, singing like they mean it.
But it’s the meticulous arrangements and anthemic choruses that will make you swoon. This band has pulse quickening hooks hardwired into their DNA, always searching for a stadium to set alight.
The third of the three, ‘Love Conquers All’ is the inevitable ballad.
Thanks goodness for inevitability. Full of interesting emotional observations, the song reaches out and touches that magic melodic rock moment, playing to the past without sounding derivative.
The second half of the album is heavier, harder, busier, with down and dirty white boy riffs (‘Pay Dirt’), by the numbers rock ballads (‘Pleasure And Pain’) and a busy, major key stomp (‘Breaking Up’).
But this material lacks the musical chemistry that ignites the rocking melodic stuff that burns so brightly earlier in the album. ***
Review by Brian McGowan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Next session: Sunday 6 April (Fifth Anniversary!)
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 23 February 2025.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 25 February 2025
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 10 March 2025
THE SOUL REVIVAL Outlaw (indie)
WHEN RIVERS MEET Addicted To Love (indie)
ISABELLA STORM Satan’s Valentine (indie)
KEYSTONE Slow Down Honey (indie)
THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE Sleep Tonight (Metropolis Records)
SAWMOON Madness (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 10 March 2025
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
