Europe - The Final Countdown

Released in 1986

Europe is one of those 80's sensations that metal fans of today love to hate, largely in part due to their third album, The Final Countdown. Everywhere from VH1 specials to Internet reviews, many metal fans are quick to condemn the over-the-top keyboards that helped formulate one of the juiciest slabs of pop-metal to hit the decade's airwaves. What many of these detractors don't tell you is that when they were young they too owned a copy of this album, and might even have one hidden away to this day.

Although Europe's previous two albums were largely guitar-oriented metal sans keyboards and glamour, The Final Countdown brought in a new sound for this Scandinavian band. Europe embraced a sound that was so melodically polished that even non-metal fans got caught up in this 80's goodness, much to the dismay of some hardcore metal fans that insist if it's not rugged it's not metal. The fact of the matter is that The Final Countdown (the album, not necessarily the title track) contained some roaring guitar work that would make any 80's hair metal band proud to lay claim to.

Some of the album's highlights are:

• The Final Countdown – The track responsible for putting Europe on the map in the U.S. This radio favorite may be condemned as cheese by some metal fans, but it's some the tastiest cheese you'll ever find.
• Carrie – There was an unspoken rule that every 80's hair metal album needed a power ballad. Carrie fulfills this role well, making women swoon with its blend of romanticism and power.
• Rock The Night – Anyone that claims Europe could not rock is simply shutting their ears to this infectious rocker that features furious guitars and an irresistible chorus that begs you to sing along.

Undoubtedly Europe's brand of lighthearted hair metal will not appeal to all metal fans. If you enjoy the harsher side of metal such as black or death metal, this album may make you recoil even quicker than holy water. But if you're looking for fun and joyous 80's hair metal that was produced purely for mindless entertainment, you'll find Europe's The Final Countdown to be among the decade's best.

Rating: 9 stars

Track List The Final Countdown Rock the Night Carrie Danger on the Track Ninja Cherokee Time Has Come Heart of Stone One the Loose Love Chaser

Additional Resources:

• Wings of Tomorrow Review
• Out of This World Review

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