The story of Europe begins in Stockholm, Sweden, back in 1979, when Joey Tempest and John Norum started a band called Force. In 1982 a friend of them entered the band in a national rock band contest, without the bands knowledge. They did appear in the contest, now under their new name, Europe, ending up not only winning the contest, but also getting Joey named 'best vocalist', and John 'best guitarist'. The first prize was getting to record an album, so in 1983 the band released their self-titled debut. Since then Europe went on to become of the the main act in the metal-pop hysteria in the mid-eighties, alongside names such as Def Leppard and Bon Jovi. Everyone remembers their biggest hit, namely "The Final Countdown". The band broke up in 1992, ending up bankrupt and worn out of touring. A reunion was done on the new years eve of 1999/2000, but not much have happened since. Some of the members have done other projects, so look for members in Joey Tempest, John Norum, Tone Norum, Clockwise, Dokken etc.

OUT OF THIS WORLD (1988) EPIC/CBS

  1. Superstitious
  2. Let The Good Times Rock
  3. Open Your Heart
  4. More Than Meets The Eye
  5. Coast To Coast
  6. Ready Or Not
  7. Sign Of The Times
  8. Just The Beginning
  9. Never Say Die
  10. Lights And Shadows
  11. Tower's Callin'
  12. Tomorrow

Line-up:

Joey Tempest - Vocals

Ian Haugland - Drums & Backing Vocals

John Leven - Bass Guitar

Kee Marcello - Guitar & Backing Vocals

Mic Michaeli - Keyboards & Backing Vocals

Working my way back through the catalogue of Europe's albums, I got this one in a trade. And it's another fine piece of pop-metal indeed. Well, maybe metal isn't exactly the right term, but I think you get what I mean. 'Out Of This World' seems to work at it's best on the ballads. This is probably the most vocals album of all the Swedes releases. The instruments are more in the background, only helping Joey to shine in front. That is not to say that there isn't some great playing here, but I find that the main thing is the beautiful melodies. You don't get much better ballads than "Open Your Heart" and "Coast To Coast". I'm going to see if I can dig even further back into their catalogue now...

Killer tracks: Superstitious, Open Your Heart, More Than Meets The Eye, Coast To Coast, Sign Of The Times

PRISONERS IN PARADISE (1991) SONY/EPIC

  1. All Or Nothing
  2. Halfway To Heaven
  3. I'll Cry For You
  4. Little Bit Of Lovin'
  5. Talk To Me
  6. Seventh Sign
  7. Prisoners In Paradise
  8. Bad Blood
  9. Homeland
  10. Got Your Mind In The Gutter
  11. 'Til My Heart Beats Down Your Door
  12. Girl From Lebanon

Line-up:

Joey Tempest - Vocals

Ian Haugland - Drums

John Leven - Bass

Kee Marcello - Guitars

Mic Michaeli - Keyboards

Starting a Europe collection in 2003 is kind of odd. But I never wanted to cough up too much money for the albums by these kings of cheese. Then I came across this album, the last one they recorded before splitting up, for less then 5$. And much to my satisfaction, this album was far better than I had first expected. The Swedish pop-metalers knew how to write catchy songs, and 'Prisoners In Paradise' contains some of their best work. You just can't seem to go wrong with a voice like Joey's. Kee Marcello is a smokin' guitar-player too, maybe just as good as John Norum was. Not all of the tracks hold the same quality as the best of them, but all in all a decent melodic hard-rock effort.

Killer tracks: All Or Nothing, Halfway To Heaven, I'll Cry For You, Prisoners In Paradise

ROCK THE NIGHT - THE VERY BEST OF EUROPE (2004) SONY/EPIC (2CD)

CD1:
  1. Rock The Night
  2. Superstitious
  3. I'll Cry For You (Acoustic Version)
  4. Cherokee
  5. Stormwind
  6. Sweet Love Child (single B-side)
  7. In The Future To Come
  8. Here Comes The Night (outtake from 'Prisoners In Paradise' session)
  9. Sign Of The Times
  10. Dreamer
  11. Seventh Sign
  12. Yesterday's News
  13. Got your Mind In The Gutter
  14. Ready Or Not
  15. Aphasia
  16. Time Has Come (Live in Stockholm 1986)
CD2:
  1. The Final Countdown
  2. Halfway To Heaven
  3. Open Your Heart
  4. Long Time Coming (single B-side)
  5. Mr. Governor Man (outtake from 'Prisoners In Paradise' session)
  6. Carrie
  7. Seven Doors Hotel (single B-side)
  8. Girl From Lebanon
  9. The King Will Return
  10. More Than Meets The Eye
  11. Prisoners In Paradise
  12. Wings Of Tomorrow
  13. On Broken Wings
  14. Scream Of Anger
  15. Hearts Of Stone
  16. Let The Good Times Rock (Live in Rotterdam 1989)

Europe are reunited! And the first tangible sign is this compilation. This excellent 32 track double disc gives us a fine overview of the bands entire career. From the raw and rocking tuned from their self titled debut, through the hair-metal heyday of "The Final Countdown" and ballads like "Carrie", to their splendid pop-metal finale in "Prisoners In Paradise". The songs are not in any chronological order. But that actually enhances my listening pleasure, because the material then seems much more varied. There are also some cuts for the die-hards to enjoy. If you already have the 3 single B-sides included, then you might enjoy the live tracks, or maybe the outtakes presented for the first time. Any way you slice it, this is a killer compilation that you can use an an introduction to the band, or just put it on to treat yourself to a few hours of good old melodic hard rock!

John Norum guest appearances:

V/A - 'Spacewalk - A Tribute To Ace Frehley'

 

Kee Marcello guest appearances:

Laudamus - 'Lost In Vain'

In Flames - 'Colony'

 

Mic Michaeli guest appearances:

Audiovision - 'The Calling'

 

Related artists:

 John Norum, Don Dokken, Dokken, Yngwie Malmsteen