Artist : Ten

Album : Illuminati

Release Date : 09-11-2018

Added : 01-01-2019

I had discovered 'Ten' with their latest album 'Gothica' (see here) and it was only a year later that its successor 'Illuminati' has been released. There is obviously a continuity with the style of 'Gothica' with a mix of rock and hard rock and melodic lines that catch at the first listening. From the first title 'Be As You Are Forever', after a beautiful instrumental introduction, it's a first energetic title with a very effective first refrain. With 'Shield Wall', the rhythm and the melody remind me of the Austrians of 'Serenity' (see their latest album here) and 'The Esoteric Ocean' is more AOR and is getting closer to bands like 'Foreigner' (see their latest live album here). The suite offers compositions that move more towards symphonic melodic rock, with for example, the beautiful ballad 'Rosetta Stone' whose chorus is reminiscent of the melodic lines of 'Mono Inc.' (see their latest album here) or the bright 'Heaven And The Holier-Than-Thou' close to the pop/rock of the 70s or the magnificent last title and very ‘Queenest’ 'Of Battles Lost and Won'. In summary, the Englishs of 'Ten' released a melodic rock album of great quality and accessible to a wide audience and if you like the international rock of the 80s, 'Illuminati' is for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Gary Hughes (Vocal), Dann Rosingana (Guitar), Steve Grocott (Guitar), John Halliwell (Guitar), Darrel Treece-Birch (Keybords), Steve McKenna (Bass), Max Yates (Drums)