After the commercial success and domain of Hard Rock, Glam Metal and AOR from 1983 (when QUIET RIOT’s “Metal Health” entered and reached number one on Billboard’s 200 chart at November and unleashed the golden age of the genres on USA) to 1992 (when the ascension of Grunge/Alternative Rock ended such domain), these genres felt into nothingness, and the axis for Metal acts became Europe. Due such change, today is almost impossible to have new acts on Hard Rock, Glam Metal and AOR on USA (pardon me if I’m wrong, and I’d be glad to check the work of one of them), but as the number of releases in the band seems to increase, it points that Europe is the Isle of the Blessed. Sweden has a pivotal point, because its production of bands in such genres is amazing, and now RIAN is back with its third album, “Wings”. They’re in a trench between the most melodic and accessible trenches of Glam Metal and AOR, because their musical work has a weight impact on the ears (due the focus being more in the guitars than in the keyboards), but as well they use a set of melodies that are hard to resist and choruses that are simple to sing along after hearing their songs only once.

Their careful instrumental arrangements don’t tear apart the spontaneous and energetic appeal of their songs, and it’s truly full of life. Yes, their musical work is really excellent! The band hired the services of Dennis Ward (the bassist of MAGNUM, PLACE VENDOME and former member of PINK CREAM 69, and that worked on studio with acts as HELLOWEEN, ANGRA, FIREWIND, KROKUS, SINNER, PRIMAL FEAR, UNISONIC, and many more) who helped them to shape a fine and clean sonority, but that has a modern and weighty outfit as well. It’s really amazing.

The 11 songs of “Wings” are all excellent, offering 11 moments of pure joy and fun when listening to it. But for a first ride on it, you can taste “Carry My Wings” (a fine combination between Glam Metal arrangements and charming AOR melodies, with excellent guitars in a vein similar to KISS in the 80s), “We Ride” (a heavy song with a Glam Metal vibe full of hooking melodies, with evident sight in the guitars’ arrangements, and what a lovely chorus), “Don’t Wait for the Fire” (a silk introduction is followed by a heavy and melodic ambience full of contrasts, and what very good singing can be heard), “Dance the Night Away” (it begins as a ballad, but soon it gains weight and energy, with fine playing of bass guitar and drums supporting the song’s melodic structure), “War is Over” (the intro with effects, then with a strong bass playing pulse opens another heavier song with resemblances with 80s Glam Metal, and what great melodies), “Look at the Stars” (this one is openly accessible, filled with silk melodies and catchy arrangements), and… Again my personal cliché when dealing with an album that is perfect: listen to all the songs! These ones, along with “One in a Million”, “On the Wind”, “When You’re Gone”, “The Silence of Our Dreams” and “Eternity” are the real thing in Glam Metal and AOR!

RIAN created a masterpiece, so listen to “Wings” and enjoy. And I have to say some personal words: I wish you all the luck in the world, and thanks for such wonderful piece of music.