In their 35th year, Pretty Maids have just released their monstrous new album Kingmaker, another completely essential slab of melodic metal topped with that unmistakable Pretty Maids sound. Recent studio albums Motherland and Pandemonium were mighty fine releases, but Kingmaker sees founding members Ronnie Atkins and Ken Hammer in career best form.
Over the span of their 13 studio albums, the band have been equally capable of delivering pulsating melodic metal such as Future World, hook infested melodic rockers such as Love Games and Walk Away, 80’s style power ballads aka Savage Heart and everything in between. On Kingmaker once again all bases are covered and at the heart of it all, a collection of simply memorable songs. The album bleeds an energy and hunger that is no better illustrated than the opening duo of When God Took A Day Off and Kingmaker.
The more melodic side of the band is probably where my allegiance has lied and the anthemic and inspiring Face The World and modern tinges of Last Beauty On Earth are sure fire winners. As for the uptempo Bulls Eye, it’s a blend of Eclipse and Nordic Union, a storming melodic rocker if there ever was one.
Contrast this with the razor sharp riffing, vocals and thunderous bottom end on King Of The Right Here And Now, Civilized Monsters and Sickening, and the band has never sounded heavier or more aggressive. Having Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Primal Fear) once again producing, it’s no surprise the overall sound is as massive as it is.
2016 has been a big year already for Ronnie Atkins with Nordic Union being one of the years top releases, along with an album and touring with Tobias Sammets Avantasia. With an ever growing legion of fans worldwide and a killer album in Kingmaker, it’s time to cement Pretty Maids standing as one of finest exponents of melodic metal in the world.
TRACKLIST
When God Took A Day Off
Kingmaker
Face The World
Humanize Me
Last Beauty On Earth
Bull’s Eye
King Of The Right Here And Now
Heavens Little Devil
Civilized Monsters
Sickening
Was That What You Wanted
