Like its consistently excellent (and slightly superior) predecessor, , 's fifth solo effort, , continued to provide a welcome sanctuary (blatant reference intended) for disgruntled fans suffering through the all-too-long mediocrity of the era. By avoiding the experimental pitfalls of prior solo outings to fully embrace his metallic origins, -- the solo artist -- is at his creative peak on these two records. The importance of co-songwriter, producer, and guitarist 's guidance in this revival cannot be overstated, and reuniting with fellow alum wasn't a bad idea, either. Muscular anthems such as "King in Crimson," "Killing Floor," and the title track manage to deliver with aggression, confidence, and, most importantly, a modern metal aesthetic sorely missing in 's efforts of the time. The album's second half does dip in quality somewhat, but a storming parting shot of "Machine Men" (a classic - collaboration if ever there was one) and "The Alchemist" (which revisits the title track's main theme in fashion) offer a worthy finale to this very impressive album. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia