Norway's COME TASTE THE BAND (CTTB for sake of ease) is of course named after that legendary DEEP PURPLE album of the same name. Makes sense, seeing as they were originally a DP tribute band. From the beginning of "Not That Kind of Man" it is obvious where their main influence lays. The transitions, solos, song cord progression are so Purple MIII it fooled my nephew. Not to say it's bad, quite the opposite; it's actually well written and performed, just not ground breaking or terribly original.

The opening to "Under Your Skin" is classic old school rock, and although Doogie White is in key, he has a unique problem of average low register voice with a phenomenal upper. I mean he shines when he goes high! "Slave For Your Love" showcases the great bass playing of Stale Naas as he lays down a bed for Jo Henning Kaasin's heartfelt solo, a theme repeated throughout the album. Upon opening the promo file I saw track five, "Tied Down" had a number of line-up changes. I personally think Birger Lofman would have been a better choice on drums, but Tobias Ornes Andersen was acceptable. Not knowing the politics of the situation, I can't understand why the line-up changed for this tune. If I hadn't have read the notes, I wouldn't have noticed the changes (except the drums, serious style difference there). Even Joe Lynn Turner wasn't a standout over Doogie on vocals. "Don't Let Me Bleed" though had great organ work, provided by Vidar Nilsen, an obvious disciple of the legend Jon Lord.

"Cradle to Grave" is in my opinion the stand out, the song that if some asked what is CTTB all about, I'd play this song. Well composed, with a good mix that illustrates it's the band as a whole that makes this album good, verging on great. The final song "So Long Old Friend" is a heartfelt blues-based song that is tear inducing in its farewell message. This CD caught me off guard. At first listen through I was thinking average at best, but the more I heard the more I grew to appreciate the flavor of a modern interpretation of classic rock, and my score kept creeping up. If you like the old rock style but are looking for new songs beyond the classics, CTTB's "Reignition" might be a CD for you.