Geoff Tate, Geoff Tate (Sanctuary)

Geoff Tate is the former frontman from 80s hairy metal band Queensryche. On the cover of this new album he doesn't look like he's aged two years never mind 20. That's so unfair! This is the first solo album for the classically-trained vocalist, although it isn't the end of the band (they are still going, having opened for Iron Maiden on 2000's Brave New World tour). There's a touch of Queensryche to get the interest of old fans, such as Forever, but enough diversity to (hopefully) acquire new ones, for example the Spanish guitar-backed Helpless. It's hard to choose the most outstanding tracks on here as so many of them are great. It's been a long time coming for a first solo album, but worth the wait.