Germano-Russo-British rockers Pendulum of Fortune have released a second album, entitled Return to Eden, and a strange old mashup of styles it is too.

Actually that’s not true. PoF, the brainchild of veteran drummer Bodo Schopf (Hartmann, M.S.G., Domain, Eloy and many, many more) and vocalising sidekick David Readman (Pink Cream 69, Voodoo Circle, Tank etc) are like one of those classic rock tribute bands you see in pubs, reprising the years 1972-1987 in all their glory. Except, a pleasant Emerson Lake and Palmer cover aside, Pendulum of Fortune bring the old-school noise in original form.

So, for your admission fee you’re going to get a not-always-successful but nevertheless spiritedly delivered pile up of sounds that’ll remind you by turns of AC/DC, Alcatrazz, Whitesnake, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath… you know the score. For the most part it’s well done, especially the guitar work of Vladimir Shevyakov, whose Malmsteenesque playing on the instrumental Rockanini will get even the most reluctant air guitarist into motion.

Schopf powers everything from the back like the old pro he is, mixing up his styles to suit the song but generally coming on like a nice mix of old names like Powell, McKenna and Bonham. His footwork throughout Skin and Bones (probably the best of the original numbers) is particularly nifty. Readman sings this song well too, but for the most part he’s so high up in the mix that his tendency to bellow can become a bit grating over time. On the proggy title track, for instance, his natural impulse to belt out the lyrics doesn’t work. Sometimes less is more, undoubtedly, and Readman, who can obviously sing, comes in to his own more on the less full-throttle tracks like Wings of a Dove, Don’t Make a Fool Out of Me or the excellent Wishing Well. That said, fans of David Coverdale will find Readman’s closing vocal pyrotechnics on the track Gravy Train’s final denouement something to behold…

In all honesty I’ve probably been very picky about this release – if you simply enjoy hard rock of the old school played by professionals who just about hit more than they miss then you’ll find Return to Eden an enjoyably noisy ride.

You can Return to Eden on March 8th…