In one way or another, Joe Lynn Turner has been a part of my musical makeup since I first heard his voice in Rainbow. His debut solo release "Rescue You" from 1985 is a masterpiece, and although some diehard Deep Purple fans may scoff at "Slaves And Masters", but it's one of my Top Five favorite releases of all time. I'm a fan of all his various projects from Mother's Army ("Planet Earth" was basically super glued into my CD player at one point!), Brazen Abbot, Sunstorm ... of course, who could forget his Hughes Turner Project and his work with Yngwie Malmsteen? It's safe to say that JLT has released an astounding body of work since his Fandango recording debut back in 1977.

Skip ahead 45 years to the present day and we have another JLT masterpiece in our hands.

"Belly Of The Beast" has JLT joining forces with producer Peter Tägtgren and it's a different
avenue for JLT. The end result is nothing short of fierce in both the musical and lyrical realm. It’s not out of place to compare it to something you would hear from Primal Fear or Jørn Lande as it comes straight at you with gang-style choruses and heavy driving rhythms.

The voice is unmistakably JLT though. Melodic as always, but this time it's with a mental energy,
enthusiasm and determination that I haven't heard from the artist before. After a “brief” rest, this is his first solo release of new material since 2007's "Second Hand Life", the JLT brand has returned with renewed vigor. Lyrically, it's some of JLT’s best work. Tackling the topics of good versus evil, angel and devil, right from wrong. The whole album is a sparring match for the mind and is relentless in its attack. The title track, “Belly of the Beast”, sets the tone for the rest of the album in spectacular form. While this isn't a concept album by any means, the album does have a common thread of rising up against darker days, battling personal demons and the fight of being held down by either corporations, media or personal attacks. It's in your face and you know that this JLT is on a mission in 2022.

This was the album we needed from JLT, and more importantly, I think the album he needed to make for himself as well. You can feel the emotion he has put into the performances, the production and the songwriting. JLT pulled no punches on this one ... he was looking for a first round knockout, and in my opinion he succeeded.