Various Artists - Heavy Metal Love (CD)

All Music Guide

Heavy Metal Love may seem like a strange title, but it actually is named after a Helix song that is included on this ten-track budget-line collection. All of the songs on Heavy Metal Love are power-ballads -- and in case you're unfamiliar with that term, a power ballad is ballad adorned by heavy guitars. One of the prototypes for the style, Kiss' "Beth," is included, but most of the album consists of '80s power ballads like Europe's "Carrie," Yngwie Malmsteen's "Dreaming (Tell Me)," Vinnie Vincent's "Love Kills," April Wine's "Just Between You and Me," Great White's "Lady Red Light" and Vixen's "Edge of a Broken Heart." There aren't many classics here, but these lesser-known cuts may be of interest to hardcore fans of the genre.

- Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide