Intertwining sounds from classic Metal with powerful Hard Rock, the sophomore release "Lion's Den" by KING'S CALL is a mixture of the old meets the new on an exciting level. With touches of blues added to the canvas, this recently revitalized group has not only measured up to their previous album, "Destiny", but even managed to surpass its brilliance.

Perhaps their unique sound can be attributed from their multi-national backgrounds. Founder and guitarist Alex Garoufalidis was born in Greece, moved for a time to Los Angeles, CA, then found his home in Germany. As if that wasn't enough of a cultural mixture, bassist Andreas Kramer is from Germany, on drums is Asec Bergemann from The Republic of Azerbaijan, and replacing Rick Chase on vocals is Mike Freeland (PREYING MANTIS) from the UK. How's that for an international lineup?

Structured around the melodic yet strong guitar riffs by songwriter Alex Garoufalidis, each track on this album is well varied and complimented by the outstanding accomplishments of each band member showcasing their individual talents. The drums are strong and tight throughout; bass is equally muscled and not lost in the assault. Vocals are a perfect complement with the classic sound. Guitars soar to new heights with solos and catchy riffs to really grab hold the attention of fans who enjoy the sound of a more classical Heavy Metal.

Considering how well executed and packaged this entire album was, I found it hard to pick favorites. Each track was a gem in its own right. However, there were some tracks that stood out. "Mother Nature" was an excellent way to start the album. Listeners are in for a treat with this classically designed track brimming over with brilliant, heavy hitting guitars and rhythm. Turning the blues influences up a few notches, "Is This The Life" brought an interesting heavy twist to the mix. "Dig It" and "Get Up" will get you fired up with their more feverish tempos, where the instrumental "Avalon Rising" will take you on an unexpected musical journey.

Building on not only their previous work of "Destiny", KING'S CALL also rises up from the foundations laid by the pioneers of heavy metal back in the 70s and 80s. For hard rock with a heavy dose of melodic Heavy Metal, complete with excellent grooves and hooks, KINGS'S CALL has raised the bar for themselves and others in their genre. "Lion's Den" is a power packed album of great tracks definitely worthy of your attention.