Two years after the comeback “Back In Trance” the guys around former TRANCE veteran Lothar Antoni are back with a new album and the cover awakens memories of the past, because it really is not good and could turn off potential fans, but that almost is a tradition with this band already, because when I look through the discography of the band, they did not have many good covers…

But enough about that, what does “Mine” contain? Extremely traditional Heavy Metal, which seems to have been completely stuck in the Eighties, but that is exactly what make TRANCEMISSION so appealing, because the guys have been right there way back then, they sold more than 150 thousand copies of their first two releases and it is that spirit that these songs still breathe, quite simple, but all the more catchy and effective. Of course the probability that they will get even close to these numbers is basically zero, but the band and I do not care.

Most songs are mid-paced, with good riffing, fine melodies that go right into your ear and Lothar’s pretty unique voice, which has been a trade mark of TRANCE/TRANCEMISSION ever since 1983 and that has not changed in 2005 either. After the in my opinion pretty superfluous opening instrumental “Mine” “I’m A Rock” sets out simple and stomping, but very effective and a very memorable riff, you don’t have to think much, but is entertaining from the get-go. And that is basically the marching direction for the rest of the album as well, which has its highlight in the nicely heavy “Tiny Toon”, the driving “Dreamcatcher” and the strongly PRIEST-influenced “Motorrider”.

The only song that cannot keep up is the sluggish “Mr. Big Mouth“, which lacks drive and convincing melodies, but one foul apple is not that bad, now is it? And for people, for which the lyrics are extremely important, concentrate on the music and not the lyrics, just as a side note…

Altogether “Mine” is a refreshing step back into the Eighties, as clichéd as it could be, but completely honest, so check it out! (Online March 19, 2006)