Opener Conquer & Divide is a rampaging track featuring an up-tempo verse and chorus before breaking down for a pre solo interlude which sees Joe maing nice use of an octave pedal before lurching back into the fast tempo for an arpeggio section which is very classical in nature. Mats builds up the tension with some nice keyboard voicing over which Stump ups the intensity once again. A stormer of an opener.

No Forgiving continues the frentic tempo of the album with a good riff that is in the same sort of vein as Yngwie's 'Anguish & Fear' before heading into a totally slamming groove for the verse. The pre chorus sees a great vocal melody line with Vescera sings about the devil. The chorus sees a more Rainbow sound enter the fray and it adds nicely to whats been before. The solo section starts with a classical motif before Stump hits you again with his clean chops and impressive arpeggio work, this builds into a superb section with all manner of fretboard fire, this really is evoking the classic Neo Classical sound and it kicks major ass. A definite highlight of the album.

Mark Of The Devil sees a more thrash orientated sound enter the fray before becoming more melodic for the verse which sounds more like something from one of Vescera's MVP albums to these ears. Again as the title implies the track is lyrically about the dark one, but they could also be interpreted as having a double meaning to terrorism. The chorus sees a cool vocal flanging effect to make Vescera sound even more demonic. A superb power groove kicks in at 2:35 which lays the foundation for Mats Olausson to take a solo which itself showcases what a talent the man is. Stump plays on this with some more impressive fretboard work which really hits its stride when the verse progression comes back in. Joe shows on this section that he can play slow and it breaks up the track nicely before heading back into the chorus. Another great track.

No Limits is an up-tempo blues number - think Deep Purple on steroids. I must admit that whislt Joe has always done this thing well I prefer his more neo-classical moments. Having said that when Vescera comes soaring in any preconceptions are lost and the verse is a superb hard rock ass kicker. The chorus is not the most original around but it serves it point. Note should go here to Mat Scurfield's drum work, its solid and pounding like a rampaging bull. The pre-solo breakdown is pure Blackmore before hitting more metallic excess which makes way for the solo which is again quite Blackmore, however, as Blackmore seems to have lost the ability to play like this Stump may as well take the ball and run with it. A beautiful harmony section comes in 4:13 before Stump sweeps his way to the solo climax, this track has so many different aspects to it the opening blues sound is misleading, and its another stormer.

Forsaken is another highlight of the album. A superb intro that mixes classic metal with classical before heading into a Rainbow-esque sound (think 'Black Masquerade' off the 'Stranger In Us All' cd). The verse sees a superb mix of simple chords from Stump which are layered over with nice string samples from Olausson - simple yet classy. The chorus is again a showcase for Vescera to show his trademark vibrato. The solo section starts out slow and moody with Joe playing a nice melody over the backing before turning on some Blackmore arpeggios. This is again built on with some nice bluesy bends before heading into neo-classical waters with frenzy. Joe's solo tone on the album is the best of his career to my ears and the production certainly helps give these tracks an extra kick. A contender for track of the album.

Sacrifice starts off sounding like it could be on an Accept or Judas Priest album, very tight rhythm work some cool drums fills before settling into the verse which is more Deep Purple (if not lyrically) with its Hammond organ work. The chorus is not the strongest on the album and to be honest it doesn't say much to me. The solo section does however redeem the track somewhat and its another for contender of "solo of the album". Stump uses a wah pedal in places (more as a filter than the Kirk Hammett unmusical wah) which adds a nice tonal change, look out for a cool harmonised arpeggio section at 4:32.

Sign Of The Cross is up next starting. A very classy track from start to finish with great performances from all around. This will make a killer live track as it has all the right ingredients - anthemic chorus, powerful verse and just a killer vibe. The drumming from Matt Scurfield is again superb and reminiscent to these ears of Cozy Powells driving thunder on the Rainbow track 'A Light In The Black'. 'Sign Of The Cross' sees another epic solo which goes through many water, suffice to say its as good as anything elsewhere and shows how much Joe has come on in his solo composition over the last few Reign Of Terror cd's. This solo has direction and all the licks - many very speedy - play well over their backing.

Joe now gets to take the spotlight with an instrumental offering, Seance. Relatively slow in tempo it shows Stumps ability to compose captivating melodies and this track has one of the best he has done. Don't however think that their is no 'shred' here as there is, it just comes out sounding natural and unforced and as a result does not maybe hit you as it might if it did not work musically - rest assured it works very nicely thank you. The tempo of the track also means we get a good chance to examine Joe's vibrato. My verdict on this is that is improving, this has always been one area of Joe's playing I never rated too highly but here and indeed the whole album it shows definite improvement. I would like to see Joe slow it down a little more then it would really sing. I should emphasise that its a million times better than the likes of Axel Rudi Pell and Kirk Hammett. Getting back to 'Seance', despite being 5:35 long its over way too quickly and that is another sign of the quality of the instrumental offering.

Bite The Bullet starts with a huge whammy bar dive before a rampaging riff smashes your face in. This quickly leads into almost Pantera intensity. A great riff and great groove lay the foundations for Vescera to deliver a biting vocal. This track shows Stumps' metal roots coming through and if your head is not banging by the second chorus then shame on you. The chorus is relatively simple yet effective before Stump moves the track into more classic metal areas with a nice straightforward solo (by Stump standards anyway!) before building it to a climax. The pounding groove then enters again before heading into the chorus and some pinched harmonic whammy bar squels end the track.

The Meaning is the epic of the album with its mid tempo classicaly tinged sound. A very emotional guitar melody opens the track. The verse is equally melodic and Vescera really throws in a heartfelt vocal. The chorus sees Vescera's vocals soar in a majestic way and it really shows what a strong writing partnership Joe and Michael have. The middle bridge sees the track get heavier and it sounds a little like Yngwie's 'Pyramid Of Cheops'. Stump's solo takes flight with a nice ascending run through various key changes which are underpinned by Olausson. The solo then moves into eastern territories before Stump play some more beautiful melodies laced with speedy bursts - great tone too. This then kicks up yet another gear into some more speedy passages before going back into the classy chorus. Another contender for track of the album.

A cover of Rainbow's Starstruck ends the Japanese version of the album. Covering a Rainbow or Deep Purple track has become something of a tradition on Reign Of Terror cd's (with Highway Star and Kill The King being done previously). I have to say this is by far the best cover I have heard the band capturing the feel of the original. It also sounds much looser and more natural than the slightly stiff version of 'Kill The King' on last years 'Sacred Ground'. Stumps solo is very faithful to Blackmore's on live versions of this track and its great to hear it. A great way to end the album.

Overall 'Conquer & Divide' is a very classy album and certainly a contender for Neo-Classical album of the year. Stump and Vescera have real chemistry that is growing with every release and any neo-classical fan will find a lot to enjoy here. Stump's playing really seems to have gone to the next level on 'Conquer & Divide', solos such as 'The Meaning', 'Seance', 'Forsaken' are really some of the best of Stump's extensive career. As mentioned in several places the rhythm section of Jay Rigfield and Matt Scurfield are super tight, Vescera delivers his ever impressive vocals with depth clarity whilst its a joy to hear Mats Olausson being used as he should have been by his former employee. Basically get this album if you even remotely liked 'Sacred Ground', and for those have not heard any Reign Of Terror take a chance, you won't regret it.

Hot Spots: No Forgiving, Forsaken, Sign Of The Cross, Seance, The Meaning.

Rating: 90%