The latest record from the ALLEN/LANDE project has dropped and “The Showdown” brings seemingly more melodic hooks than ever before. The cast has stayed the course and the project has simply become synonymous with quality songwriting, playing, production and of course the mesmerizing vocals of both Russell Allen and Jorn Lande.

Once again the principal behind the project is the one and only (and very talented) Magnus Karlsson, who’s writing and playing on the record is top-notch. As mentioned earlier, “The Showdown” seems to be even more melodic than the previous two ALLEN/LANDE records. Songs like “Bloodlines” (which may be one of my songs of the year), “We Will Rise Again” and “The Guardian” are pure slices of heaven with hooks that stay in your head for days. And you also get some edginess and hard-hitting guitars on tracks like “The Showdown” and “Turn All Into Gold”.

There are a couple ballads thrown in for good measure too. But these aren’t your typical wimpy ballads. They are full of class and have great arrangements… and let’s not forget the glorious vocals of Allen and Lande, who are two of the metal worlds’ top singers at the moment.

You also get some great moments of mild DREAM THEATER-like progressiveness and even some classic rock vibes (see “Judgement Day” and think a little THIN LIZZY). You really get it all with this project and if you are a rock, metal, progressive or even AOR fan, you’ll come away with something to like in “The Showdown”. Now if only this would become a touring project!