After Jeff Scott Soto was let go from Journey, Serafino Perugino of Frontiers Records really wanted Jeff to record an album a pure hard/melodic rock album that is the same vein of Journey. Jeff had different ideas. Jeff had been working on his solo album ‘Beautiful Mess’ which was a far cry from that type of music. However, Jeff agreed but on one condition. That condition was that ‘Beautiful Mess’ was released first…and it was.

Serafino also had the idea of doing a supergroup with Jeff in it. When he heard the first handful of songs, Jeff was really in to it and signed up. It also helped who else was in the band. The original name of the band was called Lost in the Shadows and I don’t think anyone liked that name at all. They come up with the name W.E.T. and that was because who was in the band. That included Robert Sall of the band Work of Art (The “W”); Erik Martensson of the band Eclipses (The “E”) and Jeff Scott Soto of the band Talisman (The “T”). All three bands are Swedish bands and all on Frontiers so it made it easy to bring these three guys together.

The songs were written by a number of writers, but Erik and Robert wrote a majority of the songs and Jeff wrote the lyrics. Magnus Henriksson was also involved with writing along with Johan Becker and Miqeal Persson. On instruments, of course Erik and Robert played, Jeff sang, but there were others. Magnus Henriksson from the band Eclipse played most of the lead guitars and Robben Black, also of Eclipse, played the drums and was actually the fourth member of the band and since he was in Eclipse, technically he is part of the “E” as well. This rag tag group of musicians actually pulled it off and brought one of the best Supergroups Frontiers has put together (and they have put together a lot and most are forgettable).

The band was only going to be a one-off project and were not going to tour. however, the fans wanted more. When Warrant pulled out of the the 2011 Firefest, they asked if W.E.T. would fill in. After a lot of phone calls and changed schedules they made it happen. The next thing you know, they agreed to do another album and the band played on. We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, so let’s dive in to the debut album called ‘W.E.T.’ (simple enough). The album came out on November 29, 2009 in Europe and the U.S. got it some time in 2010. The reception of the album was fantastic and it helped solidify me as a massive Soto fan. In fact, when I met Jeff back in April 2022, I brought 5 CD covers of my favorite Soto albums and this was one of them. As you can see above in the header photo, Jeff signed this CD for me. I think I now have about 7 of the albums signed by him.

The first four opening tracks are some of the best music I have ever heard open an album. You are expecting to get a modern AOR melodic record and what they deliver here might be some of the best in decades. The opening track “Invincible” starts off slowly with an atmospheric sound until that drum kicks in and it totally rocks out. Jeff’s vocals are some of his best (the whole album is) as the harmonies and melodies are sublime. There is a back and forth between the softness and that dramatic drumming that signals the rock portion and it is hell of an opening track. And like any great AOR song, there is a great little guitar solo.

“One Love” is up next and was a single for the album. The song seamlessly bleeds from the opening track. The vocals are a lush landscape of smooth harmonies and that chorus is so huge with its massive hooks and holy crap is it absolutely incredible. This is the song that I heard first and it blew my mind at how fantastic and melodic it was. They wanted to capture that AOR/Journey sound and damn if they didn’t do it and even better than Journey is doing it now. I can’t say enough great things about it. These first two songs could easily be on an Eclipse record.

And if that wasn’t good enough for you then “Brothers In Arm” will certainly convince you. Opening with a great guitar riff and more harmonies and another chorus that is as potent as the last one. Damn! Not only is a beautiful track, the message of being brothers in life and that there is more to life than just living should be heard by all. Musically, the band sound so tight and they deliver another perfectly arranged track.

“Come Down Like Rain” is the first single and the first real ballad although a couple of the others were borderline. It is a heartfelt, powerful song that leaves you wanting it to never end as Jeff outdoes himself on this one. Jeff is singing his ass off on this album as his voice is perfectly suited for this melodic AOR music. The song has an epic, grand feel to it and reaches a height that both the music and vocals soar like never before. One of the most perfectly played songs on the album. Absolutely beautiful. These first four songs leave you in a musical bliss. I can’t tell you the last time an album moved my like this after just the first four songs.

Next is “Running from the Heartache” and another example of how great the harmonies and melodies are and how they draw you in and you get lost in the music and the song. This is one of those tracks that really have a little Work of Art vibe thanks to Sall’s input.

“I’ll Be There” feels like it was taken straight from the 80’s as it has such a familiar, comfortable sound like you’ve known it all your life. This would’ve been huge back then. When I heard it was an AOR album, I was worried about the whole thing sounding dated and it hasn’t, but this is the closest to that worry, but I found out I don’t care, I love it just the same.

Then we get a little harder with “Damage is Done”. The song changes pace a few times and I like that variety. A little more punch with a really cool riff that pops up ever so often. The chorus isn’t as great as most of the other songs, but it still a little catchy even if it doesn’t feel perfectly suited for the song. The weakest of the bunch but still good.

Next up is the closest we get to a Talisman song with “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is” and starts off with a Soto scream and then he does a wolf howl. The song is more rocking than the rest and gives the album a little more punch. It has a great bridge that leads to a hooky chorus and Soto delivers the final blow with those vocals. It is topped off by a killer guitar solo (although it is way too short).

Then it is time for another power ballad with “One Day At A Time” and again they don’t disappoint. Soto’s vocals are the focus as the music is so soft and his voice is strong, but gentle at the same time. When the music builds and the chorus comes in you are fully engrossed and along for the ride. This has less power than “Comes Down Like Rain” but still impactful nonetheless as Soto’s soaring vocals are too good not to enjoy. The solo adds the perfect flavor to the song, it is the cherry on top of this sweet dessert. The last couple lines, Soto pulls out his inner Steve Perry. A nice touch.

“Just Go”…wait, don’t…stay and hear this song as it comes rocking in with a blistering riff, heavy drums and it is pure melodic hard rock. A fast tempo, grab on for the ride, exciting musical journey. As we draw closer to the end of the album, there is still a ton left in the tank for these guys as the push the accelerator and just fly.

Then comes “My Everything” which is another melodic rocker, just not as fast paced as the last track. It is another example of how these guys worked so hard to capture a sound, a feel of the AOR world and captured it perfectly. Every song was scrutinized and worked out to give us the best of all three bands and they did it over and over again.

The final song I was going to say it sounds like Journey, but I would be wrong. It sounds like Steve Perry on his solo album “For the Love of Strange Medicine”. It has that vibe and then some. “If I Fall” is Soto doing Perry like no one can and is further proof that Neal Schon made a mistake letting Soto go from Journey.

Track Listing:

1. Invincible – Keeper
2. One Love – Keeper
3. Brothers In Arm – Keeper
4. Comes Down Like Rain – Keeper
5. Running From the Heartache – Keeper
6. I’ll Be There – Keeper
7. Damage is Done – Keeper (1/2 Point)
8. Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is – Keeper
9. One Day At A Time – Keeper
10. Just Go – Keeper
11. My Everything – Keeper
12. If I Fall – Keeper

The Track Score is 11.5 out of 12 Tracks or 96%.  The writing styles of Sall and Martensson worked so magically together. They definitely brought the best of both their talents in to one cohesive unit. Jeff’s vocals have never been better and when accompanied by Martensson on backing vocals, the two played off each other so well. The album is best of Work Of Art, the best of Eclipse and the best of Talisman and you couldn’t want anything more.  The album that solidified my love for Soto’s vocals and made me a fan for life and a collector of everything he did.  This was the catalyst that made me a little obsessive. It also made me a fan of Eclipse and Work of Art.  It did a lot of things to me. My Overall Score is a 5.0 out of 5.0 Stars as it doesn’t get much better than this in my book.

BONUS DVD:

The Bonus DVD is a nice addition to the set. It has all three music videos for “One Love, “Come Down Like Rain” and “Brothers in Arm”. Plus it gives us a great interview with Jeff Scott Soto, Erik Martensson and Robert Sall as they discuss the project and what went in to it and how it was started. We learned from this that Jeff brought in his good friend and Talisman bandmate, Marcel Jacob, to play bass in the videos so he had another Talisman bandmate represented because Erik had both Magnus Henriksson and Robben Black from Eclipse in it as well. Poor Robert was the only Work of Art member. What you don’t realize is that a around a month after shooting the videos, Marcel would take his life and we would lose him forever, except for his music. The did a In Memoriam listing for him in the package at the end of one of the videos. It is a great bonus piece to have and if you can find it, grab it.

UP NEXT: JEFF SCOTT SOTO – ‘LIVE AT FIREFEST’ (2010)

THE JEFF SCOTT SOTO SERIES:

1. Panther – ‘Panther’ (1986) – recorded in 1984
2. Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force – ‘Rising Force’ (1984)
3. Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force – ‘Marching Out’ (1985)
4. Kuni – ‘Lookin’ For Action’ (1988)
5. Kryst the Conqueror – ‘Deliver Us From Evil’ (1989) / ‘Soldiers of Light: The Complete Recordings (2019)
6. Eyes – ‘Eyes’ (1990)
7. Eyes – “Nobody Said It Was Easy” (1990) – 7″ Single – Bonus Edition
8. Talisman – ‘Talisman’ (1990)
9. Talisman – “I’ll Be Waiting” (1990) – 7″ Single – Bonus Edition
10. Skrapp Mettle – ‘Sensitive’ (1991)
11. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Eternal Prisoner’ (1992)
12. Bakteria – ‘Deficate! Suffocate! Mutilate! Masturbate!’ (1992 / 2009)
13. Eyes – ‘Windows of the Soul’ (1993)
14. Talisman – ‘Genesis’ (1993)
15. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘The Ballads’ (1993)
16. Biker Mice From Mars – ‘Biker Mice From Mars (Soundtrack)’ (1993)
17. Takara – ‘Eternal Faith’ (1993)
18. Talisman – ‘5 Out Of 5 (Live in Japan)’ (1994)
19. Talisman – ‘Humanimal’ (1994)
20. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Between the Walls’ (1994)
21. Gary Schutt – ‘Sentimetal’ (1994)
22. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Love Parade’ (1994)
23. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Made in Germany (Live)’ (1995)
24. Takara – ‘Taste of Heaven’ (1995)
25. Talisman – ‘Life’ (1995)
26. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Black Moon Pyramid’ (1996)
27. Human Clay – ‘Human Clay’ (1996)
28. Talisman – ‘Best of’ (1996)
29. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Magic’ (1997)
30. Human Clay – ‘U4IA’ (1997)
31. Boogie Knights – ‘Welcome to the Jungle Boogie’ (1997)
32. Takara – ‘Blind in Paradise’ (1998)
33. Talisman – ‘Truth’ (1998)
34. ‘Rock Star: Music from the Motion Picture (Soundtrack)’ – Various Artists (2001)
35. Humanimal – ‘Humanimal’ (2002)
36. Humanimal – Find My Way Home: Limited Edition E.P. (2002)
37. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Holding On E.P.’ (2002)
38. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Prism’ (2002)
39. Talisman – ‘Live at Sweden Rock Festival’ (2002)
40. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘JSS Live at the Gods 2002’ (2003)
41. Talisman – ‘Cats & Dogs’ (2003)
42. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Believe in Me E.P.’ (2004
43. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Lost in the Translation’ (2004)
44. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Live at the Queen Convention 2003’ (2004)
45. Soul SirkUS – ‘World Play’ (2004/2005)
46. Talisman – ‘Five Men Live’ (2005)
47. Talisman – ‘World’s Best Kept Secret DVD (2005)
48. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Essential Ballads’ (2006)
49. Journey – ‘Live from Atlanta (Bootleg)’ (2006)
50. Talisman – ‘7’ (2006)
51. Talisman – The Albums Ranked Worst to First
52. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘B-Sides’ (2006)
53. Redlist – ‘Ignorance’ (2007)
54. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Beautiful Mess’ (2009)
55. Jeff Scott Soto – “21st Century” / “Gin & Tonic Sky” CD Single (2009) – Bonus Edition
56. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘One Night in Madrid’ (2009)
57. Trans-Siberian Orchestra – ‘Night Castle’ (2009)
58. W.E.T. – ‘W.E.T.’ (2009)
59. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Live at Firefest 2008’ (2010)
60. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Damage Control’ (2012)
61. W.E.T. – ‘Rise’ (2013)
62. W.E.T. – ‘One Live in Stockholm’ (2014)
63. Jeff Scott Soto – The Authorized Biography (2014)
64. SOTO – ‘Inside the Vertigo’ (2015)
65. Joel Hoekstra’s 13 – Dying to Live (2015)
66. SOTO – ‘Divak’ (2016)
67. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Retribution’ (2017)
68. Sons of Apollo – ‘Psychotic Symphony’ (2017)
69. W.E.T. – ‘Earthrage’ (2018)
70. SOTO – ‘Origami’ (2019)
71. Sons of Apollo – ‘Live With the Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony’ (2019)
72. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Wide Awake (In My Dreamland)’ (2020)
73. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Live and Loud in Milan 2019’ (2020)
74. Sons of Apollo – ‘MMXX’ (2020)
75. SOTO – ‘Revision’ (2020)
76. Talisman – “Never Say Die (A Song For Marcel)” – 7″ Single (2020)
77. W.E.T. – ‘Retransmission’ (2021)
78. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘The Duets Collection, Vol. 1’ (2021)
79. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Complicated’ (2022)
80. Ellefson/Soto – ‘Vacation in the Underground’ (2022)
81. Jeff Scott Soto / Jason Bieler – Live In Concert (2022) – Bonus Edition