So, here I am with a brand spanking new album by the reformed NWOBHM pioneers Tokyo Blade, should be interesting eh?

'Black Abyss' welcomes us all to 'Thousand Men Strong', with its charming repeated chorus hook, and power metal by numbers. Its enjoyable stuff, that would make a really great opening number with the band running out on stage, spandexed up to the nines to give us a great night of NWOBHM. A John Wiggins and Andy Boulton riff attack make this a forceful opener, coupled with the wailing vocals of Domain singer Nicolaj Ruhnow replacing original singer Alan Marsh.

Cited in some quarters as being the band's real third album and the natural successor to 1984's classic 'Night Of The Blade', you can really see the points of reference, and fans of early Tokyo Blade will certainly not be disappointed! Tokyo Blades surviving classic era members on 'Thousand Men Strong' are John Wiggins, Andy Boulton, Andy Wrighton and Steve Pierce, who between them have a rock family tree covering the intervening period that stretches all over the shop from Paul Di'anno's Battlezone to Matt Sorum, to apparently a Jack the Ripper musical. ("Saucy Jack" one would hope....)

Musically the ten tracks (nine of which are new) are all really good stuff, technically accomplished and all that. Chris Tsangarides' touch is evident in the quality of the mix. The rhythm section sounds together and tight as hell. The experience is evident throughout the album. I do however have my doubts over the songs themselves and the vocal style of the new boy, which sometimes is just a little bit dull, but in the same turn can be so powerful, (and also supremely mournful as on 'Killing Rays'). The trouble is after only a few listens I'm trying to see some stand out anthemic tracks that would have my fist in the air, and unfortunately polite clapping, and regard for past glories is all that I'm getting on quite a few tracks.

'The Ambush' however is a very strong number that merges a variety of styles and along with 'Thousand Men Strong; these really stand out. I can also see 'Killing Rays' as being a great singalong for the fans, and at six minutes long perhaps a modern day Tokyo Blade epic!

'Heading Down the Road' also hits home with chunky riffage that keeps things snappy! At 3 minutes this could be an obvious single choice iif such things existed these days. It's also an enjoyable vocal from Nicolaj Ruhnow that verges on almost being ayodel. So, lets get this out on tour, yeah! (Although lads, I note only in Germany so far though guys!) The final new track is a great Priest "homage", entitled 'Condemned To Fire' that I'm sure bought some quality memories back for Mr Tsangarides, and again this one really stands out from the rest. The album ends with a brilliant rerecording of 'Night of the Blade' that reminds us how good Tokyo Blade were at this NWOBHM malarkey back in the day.

Overall 'Thousand Men Strong' is an enjoyable album but unfortunately I don't think Ruhnow's vocals live up to the band's past glories. I certainly cant fault the playing, but unfortunately there are also too many tracks that for me will simply not stand the test of time like the band's illustrious back catalogue has! Let's hope the kids in Germany go and buy said back catalogue too! Then If Tokyo Blade do decide to bring this show to the UK, or hit the festival circuit I'll certainly be doing the honour of checking them out, as It's great to have them back.

http://www.tokyoblade.com/