Alicate were formed in the late Eighties by Jonas Erixon and Fredrik Ekberg. They released a 7” single called “The End/Too Shy To Take It”. They toured in Sweden and Finland and supported Ian Gillian in 1992.During the mid Nineties they disbanded, then in 2006 reformed and in 2009 finally released their debut album “World of Anger” which leaded to an appearance at Sweden Rocks the same year.. After the success of their album and live performances they released album number two in 2013 “Free Falling”.2018 brought the third album “Unforgiven To Be forgiven” followed by a live ep “Live At The Forum”. Covid then hit and the band was put on hold yet again, but during the pandemic Jonas Erixon continued writing and collaborating with the likes of ,Giant , Geoff Tate and Billy Sheehan. In 2022 the quartet released their most successful album to date “Butterfly” which was more of a melodic influence and feel from the previous album, Now 2024 brings album number five “Heaven Tonight”.

“Are You Ready” kicks off album number five with a bang with that Eighties American Rock influence fast paced drums, nice guitar riff and vocals and also harmonies, almost reminds me of Van Halen a great start to this album .”Under The Gun” carries on the Eighties feel, which could easily be used on a Eighties blockbuster film soundtrack or some very big Netflix programmes that are set in the Eighties ,great vocals, great chorus and musical arrangements. ”Heaven Tonight” the first single is more melodic great keys, synths with nice guitar riff over the top ,great chorus, superb vocals and harmonies earworm stuff. ”Big Time” gives me late eighties Foreigner feel such a great track love the melodies on this track. ”Ride The Storm” slows the pace down a ballad nice vocals which has the 80’s Whitesnake 1987 album feel a bit more of a mellow ballad not a power ballad with that big chorus. ”Dreaming” picks up the pace a very a superb track as is “Dangerous” with nice vocals which are different to other Melodic Rock singers more grit and depth to Jonas Erixon’s voice reminiscent of David Coverdale ,superb guitar work, love the synth chords in the background. ”Hold On” and “Count To Ten” are two more great Melodic Rock tracks which are so good with great song writing anthemic and have great structure. The last track “You’re Gone” a ballad about a relationship break up which just builds and builds and just soars to that big chorus and explosion of guitars, vocals a ,superb harmonies a superb power ballad. Back in time this would undoubtedly have been a huge hit outstanding track, great end to this album.

I must confess that before I got the opportunity to review this album I had never heard of Alicate before. That been said I am so glad that I have, ”Heaven Tonight” is ten great tracks of Melodic/American Rock, an album I did not want to end, it transported me back in time to when music was great, got more airplay. This kind of music should be huge again with the quality of bands in this genre and Alicate are definitely one of them.