Panther feat. Jeff Scott Soto

I picked this album up sometime in 1986 or 1987 and I think I got it at Unicorn Records in Portsmouth, VA.   Not important.  What was important is that it had Jeff Scott Soto on vocals.  I was a HUGE fan of his work on Yngwie’s first 2 albums and randomly finding this in a record store was sweet.  I remember looking at the cover thinking, “Damn, they could have found someone a little better looking.”  ha ha.  Even in those days the big hair didn’t do much for me.  Then turning the album over and seeing that Jeff was singing, I had to have it.  I think I got it for $1.

I’ll be straight to the point…this is not a great album but it is good and a little better than average.  JSS’ vocals are great.  To me he’s one of the greatest singers in metal/rock although I haven’t liked everything he’s put out such as Talisman and Takara.  He did sound great with Journey though!  I wish he could have kept that gig.

Anyhoo…Most of the songs on here are mid-paced metal anthems but all-in-all pretty good.  I can still remember listening to the my vinyl copy and I think this digital version retains much of that vinyl tinniness.  Best song would be “Warchild” and the worst is “Panther.”

Enjoy.

1. First There Was Rock
2. Desire
3. Danger
4. Deliver The Axe
5. Warchild
6. Panther

Download.