IWith THE 69 EYES tenth studio CD "X" ready to drop, the band is about to rise once again to the music masses as they bring gothic music, rock, metal and all genres to a stand-still waiting for it to be unleashed. The band has been exposed to the world as a unique entity in music that will not be shunned by any single style but I can tell you the Goth fans especially, should adore these guys.

The new album opens with "Love Runs Away" which exudes great charisma with its lyrics while the power chords by Timo Timo are positively uplifting and Jyrki 69's vocals command greatness with a style all its own. He can dig deep with a heavy dose of crunching dark sounds yet can hit the higher notes when needed also. Just listening to "Love Runs Away" and the following track "Tonight" I feel "X" will be a commercial success as they've already reached that status times before. The anthem sound runs high with THE 69 EYES and "Tonight" is a powerful track which gives a true adrenaline rush with its harmonies while drummer Jussi stands tall with some kit-smashing and thunderous sounds.

Jyrki 69 sure has the chops; almost of the same quality that brought major attention to Peter Steele of TYPE O NEGATIVE. Check out the song "Black" and you will truly get to hear the vibrant vocals that make mere men into Gods. Another song that will set fire to "X" has to be "If You Love Me The Morning After" with its tantalizing keys and the deep vocals that elevate during the chorus. It all just adds to the exciting guitar work of Timo Timo and Bazie on the track.

The song "Red" is a masterpiece that is essential to the history of THE 69 EYES sound. In fact all the songs up to this point have so much AOR appeal while keeping that dark heavy sound that Goth fans will eat up. "X" is a major step for THE 69 EYES in their quest for world domination and "Red" just takes the album to another level of greatness as it has the feel of a superb soft rocker that makes them truly stand out above others. It's a great tune!

It seems Roy Orbison has awoken from the heavens on the track "Borderline". I love the track because it reminds me of that true music icon. Even the guitars have that Orbison mystique. THE 69 EYES may reach the pop culture with "I'm Ready" as they surely turn direction with this one. It brings back a 70's sound and with great background vocals to boot. This might be my favorite track on the record as it gives flashes of brilliance that stands out. Having said that, all the tracks are killer but this one just does it for me.

Closing the disc is another mellow rocker called "When A Love Comes To An End" and it is a total direction change from the rest of the album. For me it's a bit too mellow compared the rest of "X" as I would have preferred to have heard a more "pummeling" song to close it out. Despite that this is still an amazing album which will show THE 69 EYES have reached platinum status with "X".