You can't blame
Loudness
vocalist
Minoru Niihara
for leaving the band after the abysmal
Hurricane Eyes
, but it's a shame he wasn't around for
Soldier of Fortune
, a far more potent and focused affair than its muddled predecessor. Reunited with producer
Max Norman
,
thankfully stripped away the superfluous production gloss that sunk the band's last album and crafted a tight, lean set of toothy rockers. And truth be told, new American shouter
Mike Vescera
-- while lacking
Niihara
's warmth and personality -- is quite a formidable successor, stepping into his new role with admirable chops and conviction on tunes like
"You Shook Me."
Guitarist
Akira Takasaki
, meanwhile, appears to be reinvigorated by the new singer, as he unleashes his most ferocious performances to date. ~ Andy Hinds