This is a request from some time ago and finally we were able get it: the YesterRock Records remastered reissue of SKAGARACK‘s “Hungry For A Game“, one of the greatest Melodic Rock / AOR albums made in Europe (Denmark) in the ’80s.
This reissue Hungry For A Game [YesterRock Remastered +1] has been remastered by lead singer Torben Schmidt himself, and arranged with the now defunct label YesterRock for distribution. The already polished album nowe sounds clearer, fuller.
As extra, we have the SKAGARACK performance at Festivalen, Skandersborg 07 / 08 / 87. You won’t find this recording anywhere, at least not with the ‘home-made remastering’ done by one of our members at his little home studio.
Classic Euro ’80s Melodic Rock / AOR for the soul…
Like Treat, Fate, Da Vinci and Alien, Skagarack should be listed amongst the best Scandinavian melodic rock / AOR delights of the late 80s, if not the best from Denmark.
With the success of Europe, the market became ripe with a whole slew of Swedish melodic AOR groups with over the top choruses, smooth melodies and plenty of the trademark keys that either heightened or hindered their lure.
Skagarack’s lure or appeal is Torben Schmidt, who in our opinion was vocally superior to the frontmen of his Danish counterparts, singing his heart out on their 1986 classic debut. Skagarack toured with TNT and found a loyal audience ala the far east and within the Scandinavian market.
When the group entered the studio in 1987 for the recording of this album, they opted for bigger production values, faster guitar oriented bents, huge choruses and lyrical late 80s decadence – the result is another pugnacious platter that’s on par with Skagarack’s AOR classic debut.
Nothing short of an AOR powerhouse, the title track kicks things off on a major high note. Never has a song about ‘gambling addiction’ sounded so appealing-with an intoxicating dose of scrumptious guitars and pumping keys. Up next is ‘Joanna’, the sugar sweet melody and Torben’s impressive vocals make up for it’s chorus which is somewhat repetitive.
Track three is one of Skagarack’s finest, ‘Somewhere In France’ is an AOR dream come true and up there with Fate’s ‘Can’t Stand Losing You’ as one of the best songs from these glory days of Danish AOR. ‘She’s A Liar’ proves that Skagarack could shred with the best of em, with crunching guitars elevating the band out of Europe and onto the gutters of the Sunset Strip in terms of sound!!
Despite showing some flare for lyrically diversity early on here, ‘Boys’ gets lost in same ‘cheese’ quagmire many of the bands of this ilk were caught in at the time.
Thankfully ‘Outrageous’ gets things back on track, with a sound akin to Foreigner’s ‘Agent Provocateur’ era. Even Torben sounding similar to Lou Gramm at times on this killer cut.
Things slow down for the endearing ballad ‘This World’, showing the band at least attempted to branch out lyrically while not losing their AOR appeal. Most of the songs here are very good but ‘Always In Line’ is a personal favourite – a top notch AOR corker that once again proves Torben was perhaps the finest Danish frontmen of this era.
The album’s closer ‘Facing The Truth’ is reminiscent of many of the radio ready ‘power ballads’ of the time. Although we would of preferred another synth soaked AOR jewel, considering the consistency of the material it’s really silly to complain.
Surely to satisfy the appetites of Scandi AOR fans, Skagarack’s ‘Hungry For A Game’ is a slab of essential AOR up there with Fate’s ‘Matter Of Attitude’ and Treat’s ‘Dreamhunter’.
HIGHLY Recommended
01 – Hungry For A Game
02 – Joanna
03 – Somewhere In France
04 – She’s A Liar
05 – Boys
06 – Outrageous
07 – This World
08 – Take Me Home Tonight
09 – Always In A Line
10 – Facing The Truth
BONUS TRACK:
11 – Sweet Dreams
extra:
Skagarack Live, Festivalen, Skandersborg 07 – 08 – 87
01 – She’s A Liar (Live)
02 – Sweet Dreams (Live)
03 – We Call It Rock N’ Roll (Live)
04 – Move It In The Night
05 – Take Me Home Tonight (Live)
06 – Somewhere In France (Live)
Lead and Backing Vocals – Torben Schmidt
Guitar – Jan Petersen
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Tommy Rasmussen
Bass, Backing Vocals – Morten Munch
Drums – Alvin Otto
Backing Vocals – Knud Lindhard
Produced by Tommy Hansen and Torben Schmidt
SKAGARACK – Hungry For A Game [YesterRock Remastered +1] + Live ’87 2008
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