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Here it is, the long-awaited third album from Hanker. The first thing I noticed when I listened to the CD, the sound quality! The album was recorded at Phase One Studio in Toronto and the sound is really excellent. Snakes and Ladders contains 11 tracks totaling over 53 minutes.

There's a lot of variety on the album, and it sounds heavier and has more punch than Hanker's first two album. This is partly due to the arrival of bass player Denis Cossette because he plays with a pick and more aggressively. He has quickly integrated himself into the band. The melodies are as present as ever in the harmonies, the guitar solos and of course Pascal's superb voice. What impressed me the most was Luc's drum playing which is very varied, very present and fits extremely well in the compositions.

It's hard very hard to pick favorite songs because they are all very strong and profound, so I always end up humming a different one! I listen to the album all the time and I just can't get tired of it. Some of the best songs that come to mind are Ad Patres, The Pardoner, Confidence Man, Far From The Cradle (the chorus is sung admirably by Pascal), On the Verge of Tears and The Eternal Struggle.

The song Seven has some Eastern rhythms and sounds. This album also has Hanker's first instrumental song, Fool's Paradise, a short song with a very classical sound and is used as an intro to The Eternal Struggle, an epic song over 8 minutes in length that talks about the highs and lows of life, which is pretty much the album's concept. Definitely a must-have for fans of intelligent melodic metal. Without a doubt, this album has all the necessary qualities to push Hanker's career very far.

Additional Information

- Re-issued in 2002 on limited-edition vinyl by Cult Metal Classics (Greece)