This album was recorded back in 1989, but it's taken until now for it to see the light of day.

This album was recorded back in 1989, but it's taken until now for it to see the light of day. The band was formed by guitarist Roberto Priori in Italy back in 1980, and after several line-up changes the first album 'Victim Of Time' was released in 1984. But Danger Zone didn't gain any serious attention until around 1988 when they supported Saxon, and were subsequently offered a major production deal. They went into the studio with executive producer Stephen Galfas, who had previously worked with the likes of Savatage, Meatloaf, Stryper and Saxon, and recorded 'Line Of Fire.' Seeing the USA as the platform to launch the band onto the big stage, they began preparations to relocate to Los Angeles, but due to endless negotiations with a US label Danger Zone began to fall apart and the initial money from the production deal started to run out. After selling part of their gear to finance the move, the remaining members finally made it to America, and began to build up a reputation by endlessly touring the California club circuit. Unfortunately by this time the musical tide was turning, and when the tidal wave that was Grunge hit, Danger Zone decided to call it quits and return home to Italy. Over the years 'Line Of Fire' reached underground cult status when fanzines and dedicated fans of the band continually demanded its release. Now in 2011, thanks to Avenue Of Allies the album has been remastered from the original source and will finally see the light of day.

With so many bands releasing albums that embrace the glory days of the eighties, it's good to hear a 'new' album that was actually recorded during the period and not actually a throwback. It's also obvious that there is a market for this kind of stuff nowadays, so the guys at Avenue Of Allies have been rather astute by picking this up. Danger Zone picked up on the sound created by the other European bands around at the time who had embraced the US scene, so there are plenty of reference points to the likes of Bonfire, Scorpions and Europe. As with most albums of this ilk, it's chock full of guitar driven melodic anthems such as 'State Of The Heart', 'Love Dies Hard' and the title track, there's a great power ballad in 'Walk Away', while 'Fingers' grooves along on a sleazy riff, and 'The Hunger' is an up-tempo rockout.

There are also three cover versions on the album, the best known being the T-Rex classic 'Children Of The Revolution' which is delivered with more pace than the original, while 'That's Why I Fell In Love With You' was recorded by Country singer Eddie Rabbitt, and 'Let Me Rock' was by Chequered Past, the band that featured Sex Pistol Steve Jones and the Blondie rhythm section of Clem Burke and Nigel Harrison.

If you're enjoying listening to the slew of bands who are currently embracing the eighties scene you could do a lot worse than pick this up, as Danger Zone are back together and working on material for a new album, and planning live shows. Hopefully it will be worth the wait.

Ant Heeks