If your taste falls anywhere on the melodic hard rock / metal spectrum, you undoubtedly are familiar with Rob Rock. After a stint with Joshua, an album with Project Driver, a short time ripping up the "about to get signed" circuit as just plain ole Driver, guest vocals on the first Angelica album, and planting himself in Impellitteri for seven years, Rob Rock has set out on a solo course. While seemingly incapable of making a musical gaff, the first smart move he made in his post-Chris Impellitteri state was to get reunited with guitarist/song writing partner Roy Z. These two, who last ignited a fire together in Driver, have got that old chemistry flowing again, flashing out 11 tracks of melodic metal excellence. It takes a lot of chutzpah to make this kind of music today, and very few seem capable of doing it well (Dream Theater and Balance Of Power come to mind), which makes this release all the more impressive. No one under 25 years old is going to appreciate this album, but this is sonic excellence, baby! You can't shrink back with this kind of music. You have to let it all hang out, and you either come up short trying, or you nail it. This album nails it.