Veteran German hard rock outfit, VICTORY, have recently released the re-issue of their 1986 album, "Don't Get Mad... Get Even", via YesterRock. And it's about time. VICTORY was a band that should have become a household name in the United States but just never quite made it to the top. Even though they had a great career in Europe, the audience in the U.S.A. was never quite as accepting. And what a shame it is. But don't feel sorry for them just yet; you might still hear from them in the near future, as Herman Frank has reformed the band, and rumor has it that there is something new in the works.

Now, 28 year later, one of the most underrated bands of the 80's have re-released and totally re-mastered, arguably, the finest album in their catalog. Because the album has been out of print for a while now, it has become collector's item and this release should make more than a few hard rock fans rejoice.

While most bands from Germany were playing a more polished, AOR style of rock n' roll at the time, VICTORY played the same style of hard rocking, "hair-metal" made popular by big-name American headliners. After releasing their successful, self-titled debut album in 1985, they came back even stronger with "Don't Get Mad... Get Even" and released the single "The Check's in the Mail". The song immediately charted and became a huge radio hit and the future looked bright for this band full of talented musicians. Consisting of Herman Frank (ACCEPT) on guitar, Charlie Huhn on vocals, Tommy Newton on guitar, Peter Knorn on bass, and Fritz Randow on drums, VICTORY proved to be as formidable as anyone on the circuit. It's still a mystery to me why this band is not mentioned alongside some of the mainstays of the "hair band" time period. If you were one of the fans who got "on board" back in the 80's, you know what to expect with this re-release. If you are new to VICTORY and "Don't Get Mad... Get Even", you are in for a surprise, as this hard-edged, 80's style rock n' roll will be an easy listen.<