Few have stood the test of time in the music business, especially Hard Rock/Metal bands. Canada's HELIX, led by lead vocalist/mainman Brian Vollmer, are one of these few, and after a 30-year-plus career and several bumps in the road along the way, they're STILL rockin' it out. Vollmer (the band's only original member) has managed to keep the ship afloat all these years by maintaining full control over the band's personnel/ activities, which is most likely the main reason why they're still around today. Many bands from the '80s died off about as fast as Britney Spears' first marriage, but not HELIX. Speaking of the 80's - those were undoubtedly HELIX's best years. "No Rest For The Wicked", "Walkin' The Razor's Edge", "Long Way To Heaven" and "Wild In The Streets" were (and still are) classic Hard Rock albums that no real old-school fan will ever stop listening to (myself included).

So how could HELIX drop an anchor for themselves in 2007? By releasing yet another new album, of course - and that's exactly what they've done. "The Power Of Rock And Roll" serves up a nice selection of tunes that define the true meaning of what its title suggests, topped off with a whole lot of old-school flavour. This isn't a Metal album per se, and no it's not a return to the "Rock You"-style era, but it's a solid expression of what HELIX have to offer in the now, and it's pretty damn good.

There are 11 tracks in total, six of which appeared on the band's "Get Up!" EP (if you own it, you'll be happy to know it's now considered a collector's item as it's no longer in production). Heavy rockers like "Get Up!", "Baby Likes To Ride", "The Power Of Rock And Roll", "Nickels And Dimes" and "Living Life Large" all prove Vollmer hasn't lost his edge nor his ability to hit the highs and lows without compromise. The re-recording of the band's classic track "Heavy Metal Love" (1983) and "Fill Your Head With Rock" both boast some hefty chops while the groove-filled "The Past Is Back (To Kick Your Ass)" and "Cyberspace Girl" add some variety across the board for good measure.

Not to harp on the subject of the "'80s" too much, but this is probably one of the most "feel-good" albums since that era. The production has a very raw "classic" sound to it rather than the shiny, polished finish that a lot of younger bands opt for these days. This is not a band thing; it just adds a lot of gravy to the meat. Brian Vollmer and company have created a solid album here. If you're looking for a great kick-ass Rock N' Roll disc to play while cruising the beach, driving on the highway or even at a big house party, "The Power Of Rock And Roll" is a good choice. Why? It's just the kind of no-nonsense, balls-out Rock album that makes you want to "get up", crack a beer and have a good time.