Universe Infinity started out as Universe and released one album back in the 80?s before splitting-up. Fast forward to today, they added Infinity to their name and recruited former House Of Shakira vocalist Andreas Eklund to join lead guitarist Michael Kling, bassist Hasse Hagman, keyboards player Freddie Kristr?m, drummer Anders Wetterstr?m and guitarist Per Nilsson. Now I am big fan of House Of Shakira and was sad when Andreas Eklund left that band in 2010, since when little has been heard from him until now. He is still has that soaring, melodic singing style that melds in well with the band’s melodic hard rock sound. Songs like ‘Company’s Coming’ and ‘Red Submarines’ are simply immense, with more hooks than a fishing tackle shop and plenty of guitars and keys action. They up the rock on ‘Born In Flames’ and ‘We Were Just Dancig’, like the hair metal 80?s Whitesnake meets Europe from the same era, complete with a suitably smoking guitar solo. ‘Streets Of Hate’ features layered harmony vocals which recall House Of Shakira, and there is a nifty Hammond solo on this song. However, the crowd noises on the title track tend to spoil this one. Melodic rock fans would do well to seek this one out, well played and chock full of melody throughout, plus great to see Andreas Eklund behind a mike stand again
