Album: PERFECT PLAN – Heart Of A Lion
Release Date: February 28, 2025
Label: Frontiers S.R.L
Review Author: Metal Mike71
The Swedish band Perfect Plan from Örnsköldsvik on the east coast up north in Sweden are back with their 4th studio album. They have got more fans all over the world after every album and now they are one of Frontiers top selling artists. Their last two albums Time For A Miracle in 2020 and Brace For Impact were both a little heavier sounding than their debut All Rise in 2018 but with this new album they go back to their roots and it sounds amazing!
The production is flawless and one of the great things when you listen to a Perfect Plan album is that it sounds organic and not hard processed on a computer. You hear the instruments sharp and clear and the voice of Kent Hilli is outstanding.
Before the album we had tasted the songs “Heart Of A Lion” and “We Are The Heroes” where the latter one has a big hit potential and has a modern feel to it and “HOAL” is pure Perfect Plan.
“All Night” – continues with a great melody and chorus and they sound like the big names in the AOR/Melodic Hard Rock bands in the 80s but with a better production. A fantastic song!
“Turn Up Your Radio” – is not a cover of the Autograph song but has a sound that easily could have been on an album with them. Another smashing song with a great chorus and great keyboards. Pure AOR!
“My Unsung Hero” – is a beautiful ballad and Kent’s vocals sound amazing on this song. Emotional.
“Ready To Break” – Is it Mark Free from Unruly Child on vocals? No, it is Kent Hilli from Sweden! WOW! Another fantastic AOR mid-tempo song and everything on this is perfect. This song will be in my top ten list at the end of the year for sure. Love it!
“Too Tough” – Begins with a great keyboard, guitar, drums intro and could be on a soundtrack for a cool action movie. Kent sings with such emotion and has a whole other register on this album that I love. Great guitar solo from Rolf Nordström on this song. Leif Ehlin is the king of the keys.
“Lady Mysterious” – has a nice groove with a bluesy feeling and Kent shows his David Coverdale side. It shows another side of the band and sounds amazing yet again. I bet this will sound great in the live set. Steady groove on the drums from Fredrik Forsberg and bass player Mats Byström.
“One Touch” – have to use the WOW world again! This is all I love about AOR, great verse with great-sounding guitars, fantastic singing by Kent again and then the chorus to die for. Salute! Thank you guys!
“Danger On The Loose” – heaviest song on the album. Think like “Superstitious” by the band Europe and you have the feeling. Another bluesy rocker and the sound is huge! Here you really feel that they are a real band.
“At Your Stone” – last song on the album and this sounds really Perfect Plan to me. Great guitars on this song and a great way to end an amazing album.
I think if this album will reach out to new and old fans it will be considered a classic AOR album in the future. Fantastic songs with amazing production and Kent Hilli on vocals is on the top of his game here. All the other members sound fantastic too and if you get the chance to see them live, don’t miss out as they are a fantastic live band too.
Now please buy this album and help it get on all the top lists in the world. I have already ordered it on both vinyl and CD and can’t wait to get them.
Rating 10/10
The Band:
Kent Hilli – Vocals
Fredrik Forsberg – Drums
Leif Ehlin – Keyboards
Rolf Nordström – Guitars
Mats Byström – Bass
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