ULI JON ROTH is often associated with hard rock, with his role as 1970's guitarist for German metal superstars SCORPIONS still regarded as the major coup on his music CV. However, since his SCORPIONS days, Roth has forged on with a solo career which has propelled him to legendary status amongst guitar enthusiasts, with his unique neo-classical approach setting him apart from most other 'rock' musicians. These days, you're about as likely to hear his work on Classic FM as on Planet Rock.

'Under a Dark Sky' is ULI JON ROTH's first studio material to be released since 2003. After listening to this album from start to finish, I can only imagine that Mr.Roth is well away with the fairies (probably enjoying a glass of mead with Richie Blackmore). Some of the lyrics here are best described as bizarre, and I'd love to know what Roth was smoking at the time he wrote some of these words. However, there's obviously a hell of a lot of work that goes into the music. The word complex is an understatement as the weaving compositions have male vocals (provided by Mark Boals of YNGWIE MALMSTEEN / ROYAL HUNT fame), female vocals, soprano vocals, the sky choir and the sky orchestra all putting in their two penneth – alongside of course, the jiggery-pokery (yet not over indulgent) guitar work of Ulrich Roth himself.

I can't imagine that I'll ever have the urge to listen to this record again, but that doesn't exactly mean that it's a load of rubbish – in fact, far from it. The album makes for an interesting, if intense listening experience – and will no doubt appeal first and foremost to guitar enthusiasts who worship the previous work of Roth. Much of the record sounds like a grandiose film score. The likes of 'The Magic Word' and parts of the 11 minute album highlight 'Land of Dawn' come somewhere close to standard rock music, where somewhat accessible melodies float above the waves of Roth's musical ocean. This is certainly not for everyone, but you have to give it to ULI JON ROTH – he doesn't do things in halves, that is for sure.

Rating 3.0/5.0

James Allman

Release Date: 22 September 2008