W.E.T. is a Melodic Rock band representing Sweden and the United States. The band consists of Robert Säll of Work of Art, Erik Mårtensson of Eclipse, and Jeff Scott Soto of Talisman, with Eclipse guitarist Magnus Henriksson and drummer Robban Bäck. "Earthrage" is the group's highly anticipated third album. "Watch the Fire" opens with a gradual layering of atmospheric guitars and keyboards, bass and drums providing the solid framework that a great Rock tune needs, leading the way for Soto's and Mårtensson's complementary vocals that complete the package. Add in a ripping guitar solo and a classic fade-out, and this is a track that leaves you wanting more.

I'm not sure what's more impressive on the second track "Burn," the opening keyboards that hit you like a wave of purifying white flame or the monster chorus. The final minute builds to some incredible guitar work, another fade-out, another awesome track. Soto's vocals take center stage on "Kings on Thunder Road," a more upbeat song with a harmony-led chorus, which fades out with some soothing acoustic guitars. What's a Melodic Rock album without a catchy ballad? Mission accomplished with "Elegantly Wasted," something that would fit perfectly on a power ballads compilation, the acoustic version just as pleasing. It pairs even better with "Urgent" right after, which takes the album into some dark territory with a heavy riff and incredible solo by Thomas Larsson that can impress even the most jaded Metal elitists.

"Dangerous" and "Calling Out Your Name" are some of the best tracks on the album, the first with some opening guitars that almost remind me of something from L.A. Guns's early repertoire, complete with its own capable melodies that make it a fantastic stand-alone, the second opening with dark, full guitars and transcendent keyboards in the breathtaking verses, leading up to a mega chorus. "Heart Is on the Line" is slower and stripped-down but builds into another impressive ballad. It's a track like this that shows the full range of the band's abilities, the ability to not be afraid to break out the piano and acoustic guitar and just let the music flow. Thick, clear guitars lead "I Don't Wanna Play That Game," that builds into the kind of chorus you want to blast from your car stereo, windows down, educating the masses about the music they should be listening to.

"The Burning Pain of Love" speaks about the universal human experience of "facing the silence alone" but holding onto people close to you, while "The Never-ending Retraceable Dream" closes the album with a most classic Glam Metal throwback. Of course, it's almost impossible not to hear the influences of beloved 80's titans in melodic Metal, to whom the group pays brilliant homage, but at the same time, the style is exciting and all its own, not tired melodies relying on what's already been done but fresh compositions that challenge the expectations of the genre.