Hooking myself to this brand new album of this Swedish band made me that there will always be reprise for the classics. Some might think that I just woke up from a long winter sleep, but I have been wide awake and aware all this time. Sadly I have crossed paths with too many bad examples of reshapes and reprises of the past. Every now and then I receive an opportunity to circle myself with some good stuff to keep my hopes up. STALLION FOUR has been just the one to prove to me that no matter what happens, old school Hard N' Heavy will always be up on saddle even if its influence seems to weaken. STALLION FOUR, via their new label of Pure Rock Records, charged with guns drawn, riding on the wind with spunk in their eyes. With "Rough Times" it was as if to say that they have seen it all and they are preparing to make the best of what they have. With the level of their music, there were advantages worth exploiting. Have you desired something like AC/DC, or maybe a pint of TWISTED SISTER or a shard of W.A.S.P. or a smack of Y&T? You got it all hear and it will worth your time several times many.

I think that the main facet that has been leading STALLION FOUR throughout this release was accessibility while trying to limit the obvious somehow. Their material is catchy, sinuous and develops into a fine entity from the past (both 70s and 80s). Definitely these guys aren't presenting something that genuine but their way to recreate the classic turned out very good and highly pleasing. It is like listening to a heavier and crunchier adaptation of AC/DC. The song structures are pretty basic, in most cases the chorus is the main event and it serves as the lucrative chip. The lead fretwork is exceptional even though there are sections where the band could have played less solo verses due to overflow reprises of a singular pattern. The vocals are soaring, raspy while ranging between mid to mid high levels. Like screams to the sky when no one answers. The main riffing is a thing of the past plus another layer of heaviness that turned things around into something more exciting and somewhat fresh.

"Heart Of Rage" is a mere classic that can be counted in the same line of the top of the Hard N' Heavy classics. The song channels the passion of its composers with a stream of emotions. It is an easy song to handle, the music is not demanding, catchy lyrics and a swell atmosphere of Rock Till You Drop. "Running Too Hot" will probably make you feel the igniting engine of a motorcycle before gearing up for top speeds. Such straightforwardness with an attitude is the food for the gods. "Sister Mean" is the heaviest track on the album. Riff lovers will repeat this one for sure. Furthermore, the band knew how to form a fine chorus to level up the song. The large sum of the material is pretty much in the same rate. STALLION FOUR delivered their fine edge between Rock and Metal while not only settling for less. Go ahead and run to buy this one.