by Alexandra Mrozowska
– Senior Columnist —
Apparently set to remain the most prolific – and also the busiest – band in the Melodic Hard Rock universe, Ten returns with a new EP only a few months after the release of their full-length Isla De Muerta. Equipped with quite a few AOR-ish aces up their sleeves and an atmospheric cover artwork, the British ensemble under the leadership of Gary Hughes give vent to their fascination with historic and mythical themes again. The title of the aforesaid EP released via Rocktopia Records – The Dragon And Saint George – certainly speaks for itself.
It’s “The Dragon And Saint George” that opens the EP, a familiar start for those whose mid-2015 playlists were built around Isla De Muerta. A part of this record’s respective story line, here it serves as a first chapter to yet another tale with its powerful drum opening and intense chorus. “Musketeers – Soldiers Of The King” is one of the previously unreleased tracks, very close to the previous Ten full-lengths stylistically. Much in the band’s trademark Melodic Hard Rock style, this guitar-laden uptempo piece is a classy extension to Ten’s present output rather than the outtake.
“Is There Anyone With Sense” combines traditional AOR sound with modern, interesting guitar riff. It’s followed by the groovy piece number four with rich rhythm section work and a handful of classic six string licks – “The Prodigal Saviour.” An anthem on its own, “Albion Born” is almost cinematic epic-ness of 2014 Albion brought back into new realms. This being next-to-the-last of the six tracks, the EP is finished on a ballad-ish note with “We Can Be As One.” Similarly to its predecessor, it’s hardly a novelty for some of the listeners, at least. Particularly those coming from the Old Continent or being eager record collectors, as the piano-based, grandiose power ballad was already included in the track list on the European versions of Isla De Muerta album.
An EP comprising three unreleased tracks and some little bits of two previous Ten full lengths, The Dragon And Saint George is two-dimensional release in a way. Firstly it’s a collector’s item with certain appetite-whetting quality to it – especially for Ten’s die-hard fans. For those who missed the release of Albion and Isla De Muerta, it can serve as a teaser for both mentioned records. However, also the three previously unreleased tracks are hardly the outtakes that are supposed to fall behind the rest of the material. Classic Melodic Hard Rock pieces on their own, they certainly shouldn’t have been shelved into oblivion – a thing not only a staunch Ten aficionado would admit. It’s not sure if the classic AOR vibe to The Dragon And Saint George can become an argument convincing enough for anyone skeptical towards such sound aesthetics. Regardless of this fact, however, it’s a worthy addition to the band’s catalog.
Edition notes: The EP is also going to be released as 12” picture disk featuring the additional bonus track “Good God In Heaven What Hell Is This,” originally found on the Japanese release of Albion.
Genre: Melodic Hard Rock, AOR
Band:
Gary Hughes – Vocals
Dann Rosingana – Guitars
Steve Grocott – Guitars
John Halliwell – Guitars
Steve Mckenna – Bass
Darrel Treece-Birch – Keyboards
Max Yates – Drums
Tracklist:
1. The Dragon And Saint George
2. Musketeers – Soldiers Of The King
3. Is There Anyone With Sense
4. The Prodigal Saviour
5. Albion Born
6. We Can Be As One
Label: Rocktopia Records
Website: http://www.tenofficial.com/ – https://www.facebook.com/TenOfficial
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10
