From the land of the Northern Lights we have come to expect more Death Metal than out and out Rock; where Death, Autopsy and Obituary are credited as major influences rather than Black Sabbath, Rainbow or Led Zeppelin. Breaking this mould however are the sons of Stockholm , Sideburn with their new album "The Newborn Sun". From the outset "The Newborn Sun" is a hard hittin' rock extravaganza, containing a rich tapestry of influences. All of which are fused to make a familiar but not predicable sounding album. Tempo and stylistic changes from song to song, and sometimes within a song, give the album a wide an varied flavour and sure make it hard to pigeonhole.

Much of "The Newborn Sun's" appeal has to be laid at the feet of vocalist Jani Kataja. With as much Plant as Astbury, and in places even a hint of Danzig influencing his vocal style, his warm voice overlays Morgan Zocek rugged rock licks to perfection. There is as much 1977 as there is 2007 about this album, a hint of days gone by is a fundamental component of what makes "The Newborn Sun" the unashamedly balls out rock record it is.

The album is perfectly paced, taking you on a journey of out and out foot stompin' rock anthems, of merit is "I Am A King and "Sweet Wine", while there are more melodic introspective moments pop up to calm the mood. If comparisons are to be made then the list is considerable with Dio, The Cult and Deep Purple but three, and while aspects of all are present not one could be credited as a totally apt description of Sideburn's sound. Such is the variation on offer. "The Newborn Sun" thrives on it's simplicity with it's straight ahead rock sound. The formula is tried and tested but never becomes tiresome.