Artist: Pride Of Lions 
   Title: The Roaring Of Dreams
   Label: Frontiers Records

The first two PoL albums have a lot to live up to, the first was an excellent slice of Survivor style AOR and the second raised the bar with big, bold, well crafted songs, played with passion and finesse.  So here we are on album number three and there’s a lot to live up to. 

First song is 'Heaven On Earth' and immediately the comparisons to Meatloaf and Styx force themselves from the speakers in a huge, bombastic, face-melting cauldron of guitars and keyboards and the massive vocal talent that is Toby Hitchcock.  Production wise, close your eyes and you can almost Jim Steinman at the mixing desk.

'Book Of Life' starts with an acapello vocal before bursting through the speakers.  Once again we have an epic song that brings to mind Styx and Toto with the guitars weaving intricate patterns of pomp.

Next up we have 'Love’s Eternal Flame' and a respite from the bombastic opening twin salvo.  A fine slice of Survivoresque pop rock.

'Language Of The Heart' is another slice of pacy Survivor rock, sent to stomp through the listeners ears, everything is big, bold and theatrical.

Following on is 'Let Me Let You Go', this is just a perfect slice of AOR, catchy verses and chorus with a an emotional vocal at the bridge.

'Faithful Heart' is the emotional ballad, expressive vocals, outdoing Styx at their best, oozing an epic qaulity to it.

Next we have 'Defying Gravity', and this song just soars through the air on wings, taking the listener on a journey of glorious abandonment.  One of my faves on the album.

Title track 'Roaring Of Dreams' is remniscent of a more simplistic Kansas, an explosion of twists and turns.

'Secret Of The Way' follows and it’s a total slice of early 80’s pop rock, smooth and silky to the core.

'Astonish You' is a soft and smooth piece of AOR with an absolutely outstanding vocal from Toby Hitchcock, you can almost feel the emotion.

Penultimate song is 'Tall Ships', with it’s shared vocal lines, taking the listener on journey across the sea, complete with the ship’s horn blaring through the chorus and guitar solo, cheesy but just so catchy.

So last song on the album is 'Turnaround' and as soon as Toby sang the first line I thought they were doing Bonnie Tyler’s 'Total Eclipse of the Heart'.  Once again it’s epic in it’s proportions evoking some big rock opera styling and some great twin vocal play at the bridge.

So what we have here is a piece of pure bombastic, glorious AOR with that Meatloaf rock opera styling.  So epic in it’s proportions that you just can’t fail to have your heart lifted as the songs swoop and soar.  There are songs on this album that are just ridiculously brilliant, the softer side of AOR through to bouncy rock epics.  Give yourself and your ears treat and beg, borrow or steal this album.

* Review by Brassy.

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