Pink Cream 69: Headstrong (Frontiers)

The wait between Pink Cream 69 albums keeps getting longer. It’s been four years since their last album (2013’s Ceremonial), but the long-running German melodic hard rock band is finally back with a new album, titled Headstrong. It’s the band’s 12th full-length album, and the delay is understandable when you factor in bassist Dennis Ward’s work with Unisonic and vocalist David Readman’s work with Voodoo Circle and Almanac. Still, there’s no real replacement for a new Pink Cream 69 album, so Headstrong comes very highly anticipated.

Fortunately, Headstrong proves in short order that it is more than worth the wait. There’s a magic that these guys have together, and you get that almost as soon as leadoff metallic anthem “We Bow To None” kicks in. Alfred Koffler’s lightning leads and Readman’s equally electrifying vocals jump right out at you. Like the best PC69 albums, Headstrong walks the very thin line between melodic hard rock and heavy metal, and gives fans of both plenty to love. “Walls Come Down” is a great hard rock song that recalls the very early PC69 sound, and “Man of Sorrow” has real heart and soul. “Path of Destiny” is another highlight, bringing serious heaviness and almost power metal intensity.

This may be the best Pink Cream 69 album we’ve seen since Thunderdome. Headstrong is just a really strong album that delivers 10 “A-grade” songs and doesn’t overstay its welcome. It strikes hard and sticks in your head, just like you expect a good PC69 album to do. However you classify it – melodic rock, hard rock or heavy metal – Headstrong is a late contender for your “best of 2017” lists. No Pink Cream 69 fan could be disappointed by this one, and it makes a great introduction for fans of bands like Pretty Maids, Shakra, Jorn, Masterplan and Treat that have not yet discovered this great band.

Edition Notes: Headstrong comes with a second disc with nine live tracks, which is a cool bonus.