BADMOTORFINGER'S new album is extremely middle of the road.  It isn't a bad album, per say, but it is just extremely bland and uninspired, with occasional sparks of something more.  Vocalist Luigi brings them down the most.  I appreciate aspects of his clean voice-it makes the lyrics easy to hear and he goes with the rhythm of the music pretty well.  However, he doesn't have any range or vocal power. The opening track, "Hidden Heroes" opens with a catchy but ultimately bland riff that I feel like I've heard a thousand times before.  The guitar solos are a highlight, especially in this song because it flows in and out so well.  The riffs sound better when backing the guitar solo more than when they are holding the song up on their own.

"Needle in my Vein," has nice opening riffs, sounding like a much slower MEGADETH.  Once the singing starts, the guitars go back to playing a serviceable but uninteresting riffs. The main problem with the album musically is the songs are all pretty much the same mid paced tempo.  I can't help but feel some of them would benefit with some more variety or maybe even pushed a bit faster; as it stands, it sounds like the band is just treading water. "Second Chance," is the best song here because the guitars are a bit more dynamic. Massimiliano's is particularity interesting; the tone is heavy yet clear and has a rather bouncy feel to it; it reminds me of "Seventh Son" era of IRON MAIDEN.  His bass playing is definitely what kept me listening to the album.  Fabio's use of the kit is solid.  He doesn't take a whole lot of risks or challenges but he definitely plays well. Speaking of IRON MAIDEN, the "BADMOTORFINGER" song begins like it could had been on their POWERSLAVE record but quickly goes back to stagnant waters. However, the most surprising track is the acoustic "Afterlife."  The acoustic strumming is very basic but the highlight here is the vocals.  Luigi actually sounds pretty good here; it isn't going to blow your mind but he does prove that perhaps he is more capable than he lets on. This album hints that BADMOTORFINGER have more within them.  I hope they persevere and continue to release music because I feel they have the potential to get there.  They have all the right ingredients, they just need a better recipe.