One of the great things about music is being able to jump styles and bands easily to supplement your mood. When I want to sequester myself in a dark and brooding mood I pop on Leviathan or Mayhem; when I’m feeling a little ‘light’ I pop on some RATT, Van Halen or Adele, depending on my setting. When I’m ready to be a younger man again and just let the rock roll in, it’s U.F.O. all the way. Phil Mogg and co. still moves me and the latest record called Seven Deadly is a prime example of how to stick to your roots and keep rock music pure. For the basics of hard rock one need look no further than the masters of the genre, and U.F.O. is right up there with the best of them. The lineage and discography needs no introduction to those reading this; if you know heavy metal you understand its roots and fringe players.

Vinnie Moore does a fine job creating the familiar, yet ever-innovative mood throughout the album, leaving no stone unturned. The gamut is covered here nicely; you literally have every possible pot handled with expert care. There are no frills, no bells and whistles, no studio tricks to make dull music more interesting. What you get here is straight-ahead U.F.O. rock ‘n roll and it’s a welcome sound. Mogg proves beyond all doubt that he is still one of the most viable and resonating voices in rock music. Without benefit of Auto Tune the man can still wail with the best of them, as is evident on the bluesy track “Steal Yourself” with its slick delivery and classic Moore styling.

After the Schenker years this might be one of the better line-ups for the band. In usual fashion, the slower, more insightful tracks are ever-present, especially “Burn Your House Down”, which ardent Schenker disciples will fall in love with once you hear it. “The Fear” is one of the tracks that Vinnie Moore really shines on, providing a massive punch in the blues-rock area that isn’t handled all that well by this younger generation. Mogg’s syrupy delivery only adds to the combustible mix, showcasing a bar-band sensibility in the midst of simple, yet illuminating chords. Even the choice of ballads (“Waving Goodbye”) is so potent and believable that nothing contrived or faceless ever pops up while getting lost in the music. Mogg and David Coverdale still manage to capitulate on their respective abilities to tap into the heart and psyche of the fan bases. However, it’s not all sticky sweet; “Wonderland” takes the hard rock tag to wonderfully elevated plateaus with a ‘chugging’ palm-muted riff that can teach a thing or two to many a band today.    

Paul Raymond (guitar/keyboards), Lars Lehmann (bass) and Andy Parker (drums) provide a tremendous backdrop for the U.F.O. vehicle that really pulls it all together and creates an added masterpiece in the long arsenal that is the band’s weaponry. At this stage of the game it does no service to simply go through motion and fulfill contractual obligations, and U.F.O. does neither. I can only sit here thrilled to euphoric inanity that these guys still kill after all of these years. This may well be the beginning of the bands of yesteryear coming back strong and making the most of the current trend of everything old being new again. That is all well and good for posterity’s sake, but when you have a band producing an album like Seven Deadly can you really deny it?

TRACK LISTING

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*Comments:

1. Fight Night
2. Wonderland
3. Mojo Town
4. Angel Station
5. Year of The Gun
6. The Last Stone Rider
7. Steal Yourself
8. Burn Your House Down
9. The Fear
10. Waving Good Bye

Total playing time:  47:08

Release Date: February 28, 2012
Label: SPV/Steamhammer

UFO - Seven Deadly

Reviewer: Chris

February 13, 2012