Tommy DeCarlo is well known for his involvement with the Classic Rock outfit BOSTON since 2008. Well earlier this year he released an album with his new project DECARLO. So METAL TEMPLE allowed me to get a look into this new release and review it. The album artwork is very simple, with a dusty and barren wasteland enshrouded with storm clouds and a bolt of lightning cuts across the sky. On the horizon an ethereal item is suspended in the air. It reminds me of an old Aztec or Mayan shield.

As would be expected there is a heavy influence of Classic Rock felt throughout the tracks. However I also get a feel of quite a strong Country style of influence as well. We open with "Better Day". This up beat feel good song is delightfully catchy. With an important message hidden within the lyrics to keep on plugging away in whatever stream of life you find yourself. Which given the current state of affairs is important to tell oneself.

"Into The Storm" feels as though it has been plucked straight out of an Eighties live show from someone such as PINK FLOYD, GENESIS, or even THE DIRE STRAITS with a prolonged build up and kick ass guitar solo this instrumental track is the perfect intro into the albums titular track "Lightning Strikes Twice". Which again feels like it has come at just the wrong time. You can almost see the neon crested lights, Hair Metal bands and skin tight leopard print trousers moving to this catchy and positive track. The next song I would bring your attention to is "There She Goes" and again the influences are evident with a strong likeness to the great anthems of old from the Classic Rock era. In fact had this been around some time before we could have found it gracing the track listing for Rock of Ages. Changing angles now onto the records offering of a ballad.

"The One" is a lighter in the air, sing along for all the lonely hearts in the audience. With some great examples of musicianship with the guitar solo and just the general structure to the song. The final track that I have chosen to focus on is "I Think I Fell In Love With You" which is just, and I apologise for this, utter cheese. Musically it is quite good, however I feel it is just again in the wrong decade. With a likeness to edgy nineties guys making mixtapes for 'their girlsí' I was slightly underwhelmed by the way the album went out.

Overall this album has its merits, it is musically sound (as one would expect from Tommy DeCarlo) however I felt it was just quite samey. Its not really exploring new avenues or trying to be at the frontier of Rock music. I enjoyed it don't get me wrong, however I feel that there was potential for this to be so much more. The record was well produced to a professional quality that, had it not have been could have really had a negative impact