The second album from the German-based outfit,
Unblended sees
Claymore just beginning to develop their style. Most of their sound is founded on an '80s pop and arena rock base -- which unfortunately is pedestrian at best. It's when they incorporate the Highland bagpipes and progressive rock touches that
Claymore becomes interesting. And there is a stretch of four consecutive tracks (as well as a couple of stragglers) on this album that display what this band can sound like when imagination precedes the easy path. This group has two distinct identities and it's just too bad that they couldn't eliminate the debris in favor of the quality material. As it is,
Unblended is confusing and difficult to listen to due to its inconsistencies. There is definitely a creative band inside that's crying to be heard but is stifled by and succumbs to the lowest common denominator forces hard at work within this group.