MALICE IN WONDERLAND is a Rock band from Bergen, Norway. The band have released debut self-titled in 2005 and here they go with a new one by the name of "The Royal Brigade", via Crank Music Group.

After the touching intro of "Diamonds", "Black Wings" enters with a melodic Gothic Metal / Rock nous a graceful atmosphere, kind of the H.I.M. feel. "Live For Today" cranked it up a bit more with being a killer rocking song with catchy sounds, energetic tones and smacking riffs, I was enchanted by the mega catchy chorus & melodic singing, also the larger than life guitar solo. "New Year's Eve" has a mystic keyboards' sound, similar to 80's AOR, yet the song shows heavier riffing. In my opinion this is a potential hit while Chris Wicked showing off a tremendous skill. "The Royal Brigade" slams with hard biting melodic riffs, featuring the classic vigor of Hard Rock while the slashing "Have No Fear" displays a Metalized robustness with dashing melodic implementations, yet again noticeable influences of "H.I.M." and also the later era of PARADISE LOST. "Like The Desert Misses The Rain" high above your average power ballad, an inspiring moment of glory while "A Tear And A Whisper" is even a deeper epic, catchy and an orchestrated scenery. Others that you might find as interesting, no less better than the previous: "Moonchild" sharing an AOR memento, incredibly sung "Tenebrous Laneand" with a great feel of DEF LEPPARD and finally several Gothic ricochets and a perfect rhythm section on "Darkened Soul".

MALICE IN WONDERLAND is promising band, providing an excellent presentation of Hard Rock / AOR clinging a bit to Gothic lines with a few darkened bends. I can't wait for the next offering of these guys.