Kev Rowland Danish Melodic Hard Rockers Fate started way back in 1984, and managed to secure a record deal with EMI only a few months after they started rehearsing and recording. Over the past 30 years they have released seven albums and toured all over the world as a headlining act as well as support act, sharing the stage with bands like TNT, Pretty Maids, Mr. Big, Saga, Marillion, Cinderella and Yngwie Malmsteen. The current line-up of the band got together in 2011, when they produced ‘Ghosts From The Past’, which was only their second album since 1990. Lets hope that they keep with their current workrate as opposed to what had gone before, as this combines the melodic and catchy elements from their AOR and Melodic Rock days with the more powerful and energetic Hard Rock and Melodic Metal side of the band.

This is an album packed full of great vocals, catchy riffs and hooks, combined with strong guitars and fluid keyboards. This is similar to fellow Danes Royal Hunt in some ways, but with more balls and metallic feel while never losing the AOR and melody. It will be interesting to catch these guys live as I have a feeling that the metallic element may get a little heavier when in concert, but as this stands this is a fine album and one that has already been a regular visitor to my player and I am sure that trend will continue. Just one powerful melodic metal number after another, with great lead vocals and superb harmonies. www.avenue-of-allies.com

Stephen Honestly, I felt a little disappointed with this album, but not because it's bad, merely for the reason that I'm setting my expectation bar too high while all I've got is a decent hard rock tunes with only a few standouts. 'Children of The Night' is one of them. The guitars are very nice, the chorus is hooky, and the solo is just magnificent. This is clearly the best track and they're right all the way by putting this as the set opener.

The other great tracks are 'All That I Want', a keyboard colored track, again with some nice riffs and splendid chorus. 'Seeds of Terror' is also nice, but the verse is somewhat weaker and 'Daddy's Girl' as well as 'I Believe In Rock N Roll' are pretty good. The new singer's voice is mindblowing, I think it fits nicely with the music they offered. The rest of the tracks are between 7/10 and 7.5/10.

The production is great so that's a plus point here. If only 'Miracle' and 'The Last Time' have better choruses or 'Moving On' and 'At The End of The Day' have better verses, I think I'll rate it higher, but for what its worth, 75% is a reasonable rate.

Stephen Probably never in any metal fan mind back then that Hank Sherman will built such a band that's quite far from his metal days to accommodate the needs for hard rock/AOR thirst, but Fate eventually was born and I was glad he did it as throughout their career, Fate had done numerous killer songs and some of them were here, in this over 25-years old debut.

'Love On The Rox', a corny title but this is such a beautiful melodic rock champion. Definitely one of their best along with 'Rip It Up', perhaps the only track that sounds very metal and also another killer from their catalogue. 'Danger Zone' has that Led Zeppelin 'Rock and Roll' feel, an uptempo racing song with Sherman's wonderful solo on board.

I won't deny there are several low points on this album. 'Victory' is something you can live without, 'Backdoor Man' is a weird new wave-y influenced track, and Bob Lance's drum sound here is sure one of the most horrible thing you ever heard; and 'We're Hot' not much better either. However, those fillers were forgivable with at least two more outstanding tracks here, which is '(She's Got) The Devil Inside', a radio friendly track and 'Do You Want It', a nice uptempo tune with a stunning guitar intro and a brilliant chorus.

Production is disappointing but I've heard that in a recent remastered version, this trouble has been fixed, but I think if you're hunting the value of the songs, that's not a big deal to overcome, or at least, try locating that killer track in their recent Best of compilation, perhaps is another good option to consider. Classic album and a great start of their career!