Well, the name of WHITESNAKE doesn't need further comments: it's a classic band from the late 70's that helped to set the foundations of Hard Rock and Glam Metal, and was a breeder of countless musicians that rose to fame after playing with the band (and the truth is: the number is extremely high). And they're back with their 13^th album, called "Flesh & Blood", but what this old snake is about?

Well, David Coverdale never gave up before in the thing concerning his musical work, and seems to never do such a thing. On "Flesh & Blood", the band's main way, that blend of classic Hard Rock with Rhythm 'n' Blues influences, sounds actual and alive, but always keeping its identity. Explaining: it's melodic, catchy and with the right amount of musical accessibility (a set of features that the band always showed on its works), but sound actual, fresh and heavier. Yes, it's a very good album, indeed.

David Coverdale took the duties of producer of the album, having Reb Beach, Joel Hoekstra and Michael McIntyre with him. And the efforts were done in a way to make "Flesh & Blood" sounds clean and heavy, but actual. It's the same thing anyone could expect if the band recorded "Lovehunter", "Slide It In" or "Whitesnake 87" today. The difference resides on the music itself, because the melodic clean tunes used on the recordings created a modern and heavier ambiance.

Bearing 13 excellent songs (maybe the number is a coincidence), but it's impossible to not surrender to the bluesy heavy feeling of "Good to See You Again" (what great guitars are shown on this one), the fine melodic feeling that fills "Gonna Be Alright" (a strong work from bass guitar and drums), the frantic and accessible hit "Shut Up & Kiss Me" (in the same vein of "Whitesnake 87", with very good vocals and backing vocals), the slow 'n' down Hard Rock songs "Hey You (You Make Me Rock)" (the chorus with such backing vocals is an inheritance of "Slide It In" and "87" era) and "Always & Forever" (lovely melodies with an accessible essence, with wonderful vocals), the warm and tender power ballad "When I Think of You (Color Me Blue)" (one of the band's stronger points, because it's beautiful and really catchy), the bitter weight of "Trouble is Your Middle Name" (the solos are amazing, showing excellent melodic shreds), the heavy Hard 'n' Roll Rock song "Flesh & Blood", and... Well, better stop at this point, because all the tracks are excellent. And "Can"t do the Right Thing", "If I Can't Have You", "Gonna Be Alright" (in a different mix), the radio mix version for "Sands of Time" and the video mix for "Shut Up & Kiss Me" are bonuses for those who buy the CD+DVD version of "Flesh & Blood".

And even after all these years, WHITESNAKE still has poison to feed its musical ambitions. And things show that they're not going to retirement so soon...