After disappearing off of the face of the world in 1997, German Trad Metallers NINJA return with 40% of the original line up. A quick voyage through the history of this band's work reveals musical styles  that draw heavily from the early 80's. However with modern bands taking this ethos kicking and screaming into the 21st century, how does NINJA hold up with the release of "Into the Fire"?

Opening track "Frozen Time" sits far too comfortably in power ballad territory for this reviewer. Yes it is not uncommon, and more often than not welcomed, for a band from this genre to release a radio friendly track. But placing it right at the beginning of an album, with no socin build-up is rather odd to say the least.

"Thunder" feels like it should have been the actual album opener. A track that announces the band, and should set the precedent for the rest of the album. Alas this announcement is little more than a whimper, once you realize that what you see is what you get. 4 minutes of "learn to play guitar" riffs and a solo that is so cheesy is had to make sure NINJA were not a parody band.

So, two tracks in the feeling starts to dawn on you. This album isn't going to go anywhere is it? Its one of THOSE albums, created only for those who still cling to the years when BON JOVI still had credibility. Designed to be played at open mic nights in dingy bars where the only things on the jukebox reek of middle age, hair loss and people who REALLY shouldn't be in those shorts.

The recurring cliches of power ballads continue for the rest of the tracks. With 12 songs and a run time of over 50 minutes "Into the Fire" really begins to outstay its welcome, and you can sit there, and listen to this album over and over and gain nothing from in.

In a time where joke bands such as STEEL PANTHER hold much more creativity and presence than the bands of that time, there seems to be no place for NINJA to exist.