PRETTY MAIDS – Kingmaker
15 studio albums and 35 years as a band, there’s something to be said for the steadiness of Danish metal band Pretty Maids. "Kingmaker" is their latest record, delivering another 11 songs of melodic metal chock full of catchy musical hooks and memorable, easy on the ear choruses. There’s always a few gems that stand out right away – check out "Face the World" and the mid-tempo, Def Leppard-ish "Heavens Little Devil" if you love the commercial side of the band, while the title cut contains some blistering riffs and rollicking metal antics in the build-ups and steady double bass action.
Guitarist Ken Hammer has a limitless supply of energy in his axe play, which also aids the dynamic songwriting action. Along with vocalist Ronnie Atkins gritty delivery, they’ve been a tandem that delivers the goods time and time again – and "Kingmaker" is no exception to the rule. If you’ve been loving the band over the course of their last studio albums ("Pandemonium" and "Louder Than Ever" especially), this record will sit very nicely in your listening wheelhouse.