Since their magnificent debut back in 2009, W.E.T.'s sophomore release "Rise Up" has become one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year. Once again, the original collaboration between Robert Säll (WORK OF ART), Erik Martensson (ECLIPSE) and Jeff Scott Soto (TALISMAN) remains in tact and also includes drummer Robban Bäck (SABATON/ ECLIPSE) and Magnus Henriksson (ECLIPSE)  again hanging on for the ride but the biggest difference between the first release and "Rise Up" is that most of the material on their debut was already pre-written by Martensson and Säll while this time around, the songs include contributions by all the band members making this a TRUE collaboration for this Frontiers Records super-group!

The CD begins in true "epic" fashion with the almost "anthem-like" "Walk Away." This is just a stellar track all around as the song begins with a haunting keyboard intro which leads into a heavy, yet somber verse. But just before the chorus, the bridge takes a turn with a powerful hook which transcends into a dynamic, melodic chorus which is surely to drop a lot of jaws along the way. Incredible track and impressive arrangement which alone is worth more than the price of the entire release! But wait... there's more!

"Learn To Live Again" is another great melodic masterpiece driven by a thick, rich mellifluous verse which prefaces another tremendous chorus and if that isn't enough, the track also includes both Soto and Martensson trading off verse leads. Another well rounded and impressive tune... seems like these guys were REALLY out to make an impression and these first two tracks certainly succeeded.

I must admit, after hearing the first two tracks it took a few listens to really appreciate the title track "Rise Up." While it does maintain all the melodic essence of its predecessors, the toned-down verse flowing into a more predictable chorus just doesn't seem to live up to the standards of the first two. Still a good song, but I guess it's like trying to compare Jaws to Jaws II, worth the price of admission but lacks the genius of the original.

"Love Heals" is the first of two legitimate ballads on the release. Another "good" track with some nice guitar fills after the chorus but fails to deliver anything more than your typical power-ballad. I love the opening riff to "What You Want." This moodier number really impresses spotlighting a harmony layered chorus and some of the best over-all lyric writing on the release.

Stepping it up a notch, "The Moment" is an up-tempo rocker with a toe-tapping melody which any fan of the genre will certainly enjoy. As is "Bad Boy" but this one seems to fall just a little flat in the sense that its mundane lyric and over all feel just doesn't seem to "rise up" over anything you have heard before.

At this point, "On The Run" thunders in with a vengeance. Absolutely love this one with its heavy, edgier vibe that really impresses and a full, fat chorus you can really sink your teeth into... not to mention the double-ending that will really surprise a lot of listeners. But then we come to "Broken Wings"... in a word, brilliant! This up-tempo melodic-rocker follows close in the footsteps of "Walk Away" and "Learn To Live Again" as one of the best tracks on the release. Superbly written and composed and includes some of the best guitar fills and solos on the release.

"Shot" returns again to that heavier, more aggressive sound. I love how the song layers itself as each verse builds and gains momentum into an intense, punchy chorus spotlighted by another searing guitar solo by Martensson.

Now I did mention there were two ballads on the release and it seems only appropriate that after the powerful 1-2-3 punches of "On The Run," "Broken Wings" and "Shot" that the second entitled "Still Believe" finds its way in here as a nice change of pace. "Still Believe" is easily the hands down winner of the two ballads and is so emotional in its delivery and substantial in its lyrics which really paint some vivid mental images that will tug at your heart strings. Great, great tune featuring a tremendously passionate chorus and not only one of Soto's best vocal performances on the release but ever!

And finally we come to "Still Unbroken." Obviously, this one kicks the release back into high gear with a harsh, engaging guitar lick and verse leading into a huge chorus complimented by a potent guitar solo and sudden finale that will leave you begging for more. No bells or whistles here... just a straight, in-your-face rocker rounding off this sturdy release.

"Rise Up" is definitely in NO danger of suffering the "sophomore-slump" as it delivers all the hooks, grooves and melodies of W.E.T.'s debut and then some! Fans of the genre will simply gobble this up and another thing I really like about the release is how it truly feels like a group effort this time around allowing Soto, Martensson, Säll and even Henriksson and Bäck their moments to shine. Kudos on another killer release and can't WAIT to see these guys together at MelodicRockFest III in September! Get your tickets NOW! It'll be a LONG time before you see a line-up like this again!