You’ll know vocalist David Readman from his various sojourns in bands as varied as NWoBHM survivors Tank through Euro rockers Pink Cream 69 to Whitesnake admirers Voodoo Circle; his performances everywhere are noted for their bellicose, rip-roaring enthusiasm. And marked similarity to David Coverdale in his prime…

Not much has changed as Readman presents a new solo album, Medusa; The Covisms are still all present and correct – although actually you get the sense that Lord Coverdale of Saltburn would have killed for a song as good as Shelter From The Storm on the last Whitesnake album – but here they add to, rather than detract from, the enjoyment as our hero presents a set of ten likeable romps through the bluesy hair metal playbook. Opener Madame Medusa, wherein Readman shares lead vocals with Jessica Conte, is a perky start, a bit reminiscent of UK pompsters Ten, and that comparison carries through to the afore-mentioned Shelter… which is heavily redolent of Gary Hughes and company circa Spellbound.

That’s a pretty good sound to use as a blueprint, I’m sure you’ll agree, but Readman proves he’s more than a one-trick pony elsewhere on the album with the attractive hard rock of Change The World, and the grungier Generation Dead, which you may have already heard as it was released as the album’s preceding single last month.

Readman is ably supported by Bram Engelen, who pleasingly doesn’t overdo the guitar pyrotechnics, preferring instead to supply powerful, muscular riffage and on-point, concise solos, whilst Julien Spreutels makes some telling keyboard contributions throughout, and drummer Bodo Schopf and former Helloween man Roland Grapow both add guest flourishes; however this is an album that’s all about the voice at the end of the day, and I’m pleased to report that Readman acquits himself superbly throughout; I’ve been less than complimentary about the man and his pipes in the past, but I can literally find nothing to quibble with across Medusa‘s incredibly enjoyable duration. Well worth a listen!

Medusa is out now.