Start from the Dark

WOW! This is Europe? Really? The return of John Norum has made a HUGE difference. This album is all about the guitar. The keyboards are almost totally gone. These songs are really well written and in some instances, they’re just plain heavy. The lyrics to the groupie anthem, Sucker, are sort of a waste of a good guitar riff, but otherwise this is a really solid album. Flames and Wake Up Call are two of Europe’s best songs and the title track shows some really mature writing. After a couple of poppy solo albums, Joey is still in good voice and the pairing of Tempest’s melodic voice and Norum’s crunchy riffs has put this band squarely into the Dokken mold. You have to get this one. --Scott