WINGS OF PEGASUS are a melodic hard rock/pop/metal band hailing from Maidenhead here in the UK, who combine the sounds of DEF LEPPARD, BON JOVI, AEROSMITH, DOKKEN to name but a few, and boy oh boy do they do just that!!

The album opens with the balled "Amelia", which opens with a lovely piano melody before songwriter Fil Henley's vocals join the song. Very passionate vocals with the piano track giving a gorgeous accompaniment, along with keyboard harmonies. The first chorus is really stripped down to just the piano and the vocals, before the drums come in during the second verse. Then the following chorus is when the guitars and the ballad really begins.  The chorus is so beautifully written with so much power and passion, and of course the following guitar solo is played with such beauty and precision, before the chorus comes back in, and it is one that will really get stuck in your head.

"Art Not Commerce" follows, with a very catchy guitar riff starting the track with a very rocking rhythm section, and then the piano yet again enters the fray, with guitar power chords at the end of the verse, giving the song a contemporary feel. The chorus again is very well written and structured, and Fil Henley's voice is very powerful and he has a very good range. It fits the style of the song really well. This song really has AEROSMITH written all over it In terms of the style and song writing.

"Don't Cry" opens with a lovely keyboard sound, a big dreamy sound at that and arpeggiated guitar, before Fin Henley's vocals come back in, and a very gentle percussion rhythm. The guitars sound so lush and dreamy in this song. The chorus is very straight forward and very catchy, the guitars playing a part as it chugs along. The chorus has some lovely harmonised vocals and a great guitar lead line leading into the solo section, which reminds one of Don Dokken and the way he and George Lynch play. It's another great track to listen to.

"Greed" opens with a frantic guitar sound and a huge drum sound.  The song then slows down slightly to a percussive beat on the snare, whilst the guitars again come back into play, really giving the track a punch just when you're not expecting it. Again the vocals are strong, catchy and highly melodic.
One strength these guys do have is the ability to write a killer chorus.  They will stick in your head after just one play! "Haunted" follows this, and opens with again a huge guitar riff and a brilliant hard rocking beat. The guitars play a more prominent role in this song, and it just grooves along nicely with the rhythm section. The chorus again is highly melodic, and has some nice texture changes, with the harmonies sounding huge. The guitar riff after the main chorus is really cool and leads into the following verse nicely. The solo section again is very DOKKEN-esque, and really does work.

Next is "Hero", which opens with keyboard harmonics, and sounds very dramatic, almost like something you would hear in a film during an emotional scene. Then suddenly the whole song just launches. Guitars again sound big and dreamy, the vocals are clear, melodic, the harmonies again are still there. The chorus is very strong, catchy and memorable. The guitar solo is again just huge. Two lead lines over the top of each other before one takes the lead and leads back to the chorus section. Just awesome.

"Paris Nord" is next, bonjour!  Again a big dreamy keyboard harmony starts the track, with a guitar riff in the background and very melodic vocals over the top. The verse and pre-chorus is just fantastic, the momentum building as it launches into the chorus. A lead guitar line then enters the song, and really gives it a push and sounds incredible. I love this guy's voice, it really suits the style of this band and he doesn't make himself power over the track which is how a good singer should be.
One of the highlights of this album.

The oddly titled "Percy Johnson" is next, which opens with a very fast paced guitar riff and rhythm section , which reminds me of Joe Satriani's "Motorcycle Driver" , before the tempo suddenly drops to a crawl and there are just soft vocals, before the guitars come back again, leading to yet another catchy chorus. The dynamic of this track is so incredible. The solo section again reminds you of Don Dokken, and there is obviously that huge influence here.

"That's Metal (To My Ears)" is next, and no it's not really a metal track. It's a good time hard rock tune with a killer lead line, and continues in that vein with a great little riff. Harmonised vocals then come into the tune, which sound awesome. It's a great track and one you could have blasting out of your car in those hot summer days! The solo section again has a very distinctive 80's sound, and this track has the potential to be a huge coup for the guys!

"Unwanted Stranger" follows that, and again has a catchy little guitar riff which sounds pretty cool.
The vocals are strong, and then we have the first sound of those DEF LEPPARD style harmonies, which send shivers down your spine when you hear them. Keyboards play a part in moderation when needed during the chorus section, and even a great lead guitar line lead into a great solo with wah pedals, effects and all! It's a great little number and shows how good these guys really are!

The final track "We Can Fall Down" opens with yet another catchy riff, and a brilliant guitar solo over the top, with a hard rocking beat behind it. We even have a bit of synth in this track that is great, and this never sounds out of place. Again the vocals are killer, strong and melodic, and the chorus is just superb. Again there are the harmonies and the riff right next to it. The solo's in the pre-verse sections are cleverly thought out and played, and really give this song a brilliant edge to it. The song just flows so sweetly end to end, the harmonies in the pre chorus are awesome and lead so well into the main chorus. These guys know how to write songs!

Overall, I have to say I am highly impressed by this band. For a UK band to be embracing this kind of music, there is hope for the genre. The sound is so unique, yet they have embraced it. Hugely melodic, hugely enjoyable! British hard rock is in safe hands with Wings of Pegasus! If you know where they gig, make sure you check them out. If they are this good in the studio, you can only imagine how awesome they are live!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!<