There is a thin line between Melodic Rock and Glam Rock and sometimes bands are able to move from one to the other without any problem at all. CIRCUS OF ROCK is one of those bands who is mainly on the Melodic side, but that will touch on the Glam side from time to time. And to me that is a real treat, as that gives the band featuring renowned vocalist Mark Boals a bit of an edge over other Melodic Rock bands. About this singer; the first time I encountered him was in 1986, when he did his vocal duties on the “Trilogy” album of YNGWIE MALMSTEEN’S RISING FORCE. He made a very positive impression back then and he really hasn’t sat still in the years up and until now. He especially shone through with bands like RING OF FIRE and ROYAL HUNT, but to be honest, if you look up his discography on Wikipedia, you will be amazed at how productive this man has been.

And now he’s back with a superb band again, as CIRCUS OF ROCK can only be described as just about as perfect a band as you can imagine. On “Hellfire”, the third album by this band with Finnish roots, you definitely hear that in the four years that they have been working together under the inspirational leadership of drummer Mirka ‘Leka’ Rantanen, they have been able to gel together as a very homogenic band that does what it needs to do, which is play to their hearts content and with all the gusto they have hidden in their personalities. Because that is one of the things that has made me really appreciate “Hellfire”, the fact that these guys are going full blast. You can feel the enthusiasm, the eagerness and the pleasure that radiates throughout the whole album.

“Hellfire” not only sounds good, the songs are also of a very high quality, which does shine through all of the time, due to the talent that every musician that is playing within CIRCUS OF ROCK is portraying. I have to admit that it took me some time to get to this conclusion, so, if you are interested in listening to “Hellfire”, please give it time to reach your brain and after a while, your heart. If you are a Melodic Rock lover, you can’t and won’t go wrong with this album, as it houses everything that you are wishing for in a Melodic Rock album. Yes, including the light-hearted parts that they have borrowed from the Glam Rock side of music. it gives “Hellfire” a light feel that will put a smile on your face. It also is turning CIRCUS OF ROCK into a pleasure band to listen to, and in these dark and confusing times I find that a real blessing.