Four

Four is the fourth album, carefully building the virtues of melodic hard rock through lyrical melody and sure ensemble. Released in 2000. Tommy Heart's voice soars, letting wistful melodies surface naturally. Helge Engelke and Andy Malecek's guitars are skilled at arranging a song's air rather than showing off. Philippe Candas plays most of the drums, with C.C. Behrens appearing only on “I Fight” — an unusual arrangement. It carries on from the previous records while leaning somewhat more introspective. From ballads to buoyant rockers, the unity is high. There's plenty to hear: the advance single and opener “Heart on the Run,” the forceful “Break Free,” “Forever” with its Eastern-tinged melody, the introspective “Tell Me I'm Wrong,” and “Still I Believe” included on the Japanese edition. Malecek left after this album, and with commercial stagnation in Europe despite strong Japanese popularity, the band went on hiatus. It became the record that closed their early era — a dense, satisfying album.