The Final Countdown

by Europe

Overview

One of the most glorious launches in history, the title track for the thrice-platinum The Final Countdown is so bombastically brilliant, such glorious garbage, that this nuclear hair assault could only spew from the vacuous '80s. But the full-tilt follow-up "Rock the Night" rules also: "You know it ain't easy/Running out of thrills." "Carrie" comes off a consummate butane ballad. Meanwhile, the rest of the disc packs so much power that Swedish superheroes Europe get away with all the processed pretension. In fact, the lofty ambition of "Danger on the Track," "Ninja," and "Cherokee" (each as tasty as its title) combines with heated drive and hot delivery to meld The Final Countdown into a unique portrait of propulsive prog and a worthy addition to any hard rock collection. This is the story; this is the legend told by Teutonic guitars and predictable keyboards ringing pure and hurtling through each and every convention perfectly. The quintet's big-boy Epic inaugural, The Final Countdown deftly combines the Valhalla victory of Europe's heroic debut with the American poodle pomposity that devoured the band. You could live without The Final Countdown, but why? ~ Doug Stone

Product Details

Release Date:	03/14/1990
Label:	Epic / Sony Music Distribution
UPC:	5099750449226
Rank:	130588

Tracks

1. The Final Countdown
2. Rock The Night
3. Carrie
4. Danger On the Track
5. Ninja
6. Cherokee
7. Time Has Come
8. Heart of Stone
9. On The Loose
10. Love Chaser
11. The Final Countdown
12. Danger on the Track
13. Carrie

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Europe   Primary Artist
Ian Haugland   Primary Artist,Drums
Mic Michaeli   Primary Artist,Keyboards
John Leven   Primary Artist,Bass
John Norum   Primary Artist,Guitar
Kee Marcello   Primary Artist
Joey Tempest   Primary Artist,Vocals

Technical Credits

Don Meehan   Engineer
Joey Tempest   Composer
Kevin Elson   Producer,Engineer,Mixing
Bob Ludwig   Mastering
Les Katz   Illustrations
Wally Buck   Mixing,Engineer
Joel Zimmerman   Art Direction
Mic Michaeli   Composer