BRAZEN ABBOT. Unfortunately, many stateside melodic rock fans may not know the name. Hopefully, that will soon change.

BRAZEN ABBOT is the brainchild of Bulgarian virtuoso guitarist Nikolo Kotzev, who created the project after exiting the Swedish band BALTIMOORE in 1994. Each BA album delivers a classy slab of melodic Euro-metal, while utilizing several well-known and highly respected vocalists.

“My Resurrection” is the fifth BRAZEN ABBOT release, and sees Nikolo sticking with the same inspiring formula. Joe Lynn Turner (RAINBOW / DEEP PURPLE) and Goran Edman (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN / JOHN NORUM) make a return appearance to the BRAZEN ABBOT camp, this time being joined by newcomers Erik Martensson (ECLIPSE) and Tony Harnell (TNT / WESTWORLD / STARBREAKER) along with a 31-piece orchestra in tow… quite ambitious, indeed!

Joe Lynn Turner starts things off with the scorching title track - a great, fast-paced rocker, harking back to his brief DEEP PURPLE stint and the criminally under-rated “Slaves And Masters” release. He also shines on the beautiful mid-tempo ballad “Dreams,” which reminds the listener of his “Stone Cold” glory days. Haunting piano and a lush string arrangement really help enrich the song. This being their fifth studio effort together, Nikolo and Joe really seem to have developed a great chemistry, which is also evident on “More Than Money” and the epic “Rage Of Angels.”

Next up is one of my all-time favorite singers, Tony Harnell, sounding better than ever. “Godforsaken” is his first outing here, and it’s a monster of a track, with some great Blackmore-esque guitar runs complimenting his razor sharp voice; a killer tune that could have fit nicely on the STARBREAKER release. Tony also soars on the groove rich “Another Day Gone” and the socially fueled “Lost.” All of them are winners.

Fans of Yngwie’s more melodic releases, “Eclipse” and “Fire And Ice,” will be thrilled to hear Goran Edman back in fine form. His moment in the sun comes during “Beggar’s Lane,” a huge number with a swelling string section throughout, very TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, and definitely another album highlight.

An essential release for fans of RAINBOW, HUGHES/TURNER PROJECT and melodic YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, “My Resurrection” appears to be the first BRAZEN ABBOT CD to be officially released in North America. Although it might take a little work to find, you will be highly rewarded for your efforts. Not unlike other Ritchie Blackmore worshippers, (Axel Rudi Pell, Stuart Smith) Nikolo Kotzev strives to live up to the rich history of his master. The man in black should be proud.