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PINK CREAM 69
Headstrong
2017 Frontiers Music

German hard rockers PINK CREAM 69 released their 12th studio album, Headstrong, in November of last year, which commemorated the 30th anniversary of the band. Headstrong features the same lineup as 2013’s Ceremonial: bassist/producer Dennis Ward, guitarists Alfred Koffler and Uwe Reitenauer, drummer Chris Schmidt and imitable vocalist David Readman.

The album begins with the infectiously upbeat “We Bow To None”. David Readman’s vocals simply soar on this track. He makes this song, plain and simple. “Walls Come Down” emphasizes the trademark PC69 verse/bridge/chorus groove. The song features a dual guitar solo between Koffler and Reitenauer and some double bass kicks from Schmidt. Take a look at the video for the song on KNAC.COM HERE.

I enjoy the hooks and chugging riffs of songs like “Unite And Divide”, “No More Fear” and “Path Of Destiny”. Also noteworthy is ballad “Vagrant Of The Night”, which is well done. “Path Of Destiny” ended up being my favorite track on the album. It’s got a driving tempo and inspirational lyrics: “It's no use living in this solitude. Hopelessness looming in the air. Climb out of the ground to reach the altitude. What no ones sees, no one can care.”

Some songs deal with the theme of greed and corruption, (inspiring the cover artwork) such as “Bloodsucker” and “Whistleblower” both of which offer a nice edge with the melody. There are two mid-tempo tracks, “Man Of Sorrow” and closer “The Other Man”, which are solid tracks. A good portion of this album stands alongside this band’s best material in my opinion. The 10 songs clock in around 45 minutes.

As if that’s not enough, you also get a bonus disc of nine songs from PC69’s live performance in Ludwigsburg, Germany in 2013. The band capably performs classics like “Welcome The Night” from the band’s 1989 debut album and “Livin’ My Life For You” from One Size Fits All (1991). Total time of the two discs is nearly and hour and a half.

Throughout their 30 year career, PC69 have been a consistent haven for quality melodic hard rock, with hooks and punch. Hard to believe that Headstrong is David Readman’s ninth studio album with the band. Here’s to many more years!

4.3 Out Of 5.0