W.E.T. – ‘Apex’ (2025) – Album Review (The Jeff Scott Soto Series)

As we now know as we are on their now fifth studio album, W.E.T. is a culmination of some great artist including Robert Sall of the band Work of Art (The “W”); Erik Martensson of the band Eclipses (The “E”) and Jeff Scott Soto of the band Talisman (The “T”). All three bands are Swedish bands and all on Frontiers so it made it easy to bring these three guys together. Rounding out the band are Magnus Henriksson (Eclipse); Jamie Borger (Talisman) and Andreas Passmark (Work of Art & Royal Hunt). All in some shape, form or fashion have been a small part of one of the three founding bands.

The album was released on March 28, 2025 a good 5 years after their last release and way too long between albums. I am sure getting these guys schedules to all coincide at the same time is not an easy task, but they managed it thankfully. A band I thought was going to be a one-off project now has 5 albums and a live album spanning over 16 years since the release of the debut back in 2009. If you love solid, melodic hard rock, this will not disappoint. And as usual, Erik Martensson is handling the productions so you know the sound is going to be amazing and it is.

The album opens strong with “Believer” and it is worth every minute we’ve waited since the last release. Jeff sounds amazing and I have to admit this is his wheelhouse and my favorite style of singing for me. The guitar solo on here is blistering fast and just rips right through the song. The drums are pounding and all is immense and powerful. The sound is more Eclipse than Talisman or Work of Art, but I’m good with that. Erik does most of the writing so that Eclipse influence is going to flow through.

They keep the juices flowing with “This House Is On Fire” opens with Erik singing us in before Jeff takes the reigns and they share some duties back and forth. These are my favorite songs when they both sing. The hooks are huge, the harmonies are stellar and the song is as catchy as they come.

The third song is nothing short of awesome as well. Erik is again on this one with Jeff and all I can say is “yes, give me more!!”. “What Are We Fighting For” is a great uplifting anthem that will have you singing along. Not to make a dig at Jeff’s last two albums, but they don’t measure up in the least to this release.

Things slow down a bit and we get our first ballad called “Love Conquers All” and I love Soto and ballads and this one is right up there with the best of them. As usual, there is a huge, powerful chorus and Soto’s vocals soar throughout. His melodic styling and higher notes are what you want to hear in a good ballad.

“Where Are The Heroes Now” picks things back up and we rock out again. A little heavier, more serious tone with this one, but we get vocals from both Erik & Jeff again so I’m happy. The chorus isn’t as big and catchy, but their harmonies together are still great. And there is another great solo from Magnus which is always a nice touch. Not the best track, but still a keeper.

Heavy is the name of the game again with “Breaking Up”. A strong, razor sharp riff, but by the time we hit the chorus, it sounds a little familiar. The verses seem a little clunky too, but the guitar is anything but. Another rough patch, but this one is not a passable song. It just feels wrong. The only real cool part is a dual solo with Erik and Magnus.

“Nowhere to Run” feels more like a Talisman song with that guitar sound and the way Jeff attacks the vocals on this one. And with “Pay Dirt” we finally get a little variety on here. A more bluesy, swampy song to start and then Jeff’s killer vocals. The chorus isn’t as big as the other songs, but I like it for the gang vocals and stomping beat. A little different sometimes is good.

Things get a little somber with “Pleasure & Pain” as the tempo slows down and the mood gets a little darker. It feels epic, dramatic and makes you stop and take notice. Another stellar ballad from the boys.

“Stay Alive” is just that…alive! More booming choruses, uptempo pace and vocals that are as slick and smooth as they come. But with “Day By Day”, they go out as big and splendid as they kicked off the album. One of the best songs on the album and for it to be the last is just icing on this delectable cake. Jeff is nothing short of amazing throughout the album, and musically the guys don’t disappoint either.

Track Listing:

1. Believer – Keeper
2. This House is On Fire – Keeper
3. What Are We Fighting For – Keeper
4. Love Conquers All – Keeper
5. Where Are the Heroes Now – Keeper (1/2 Point)
6. Breaking Up – Delete
7. Nowhere To Run – Keeper (1/2 Point)
8. Pay Dirt – Keeper
9. Pleasure & Pain – Keeper
10. Stay Alive – Keeper
11. Day By Day – Keeper

The Track Score is 9 out of 11 Tracks or 82%.  Another superb album from the boys. If I had any complaint it is the same as I usually give for Eclipse. That is the songs can be repetitive, the stylings are all similar with little variety, however, the songs are so catchy and hook-laden that you don’t mind in the end.  As I said earlier, this is the sweet spot for Jeff’s vocals and my favorite style for him to sing.  Erik Martensson’s fine song writing is on full display. How he can write so many great songs is beyond me with this and Eclipse.  The guitar playing, the keyboards, the bass and the drums are in perfect harmony on these releases and they don’t know how to make a bad album.  My Overall Score is a 4.0 out of 5.0 Stars.  Give us more and more of this guys.

THE JEFF SCOTT SOTO SERIES:

1. Panther – ‘Panther’ (1986) – recorded in 1984
2. Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force – ‘Rising Force’ (1984)
3. Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force – ‘Marching Out’ (1985)
4. Kuni – ‘Lookin’ For Action’ (1988)
5. Kryst the Conqueror – ‘Deliver Us From Evil’ (1989) / ‘Soldiers of Light: The Complete Recordings (2019)
6. Eyes – ‘Eyes’ (1990)
7. Eyes – “Nobody Said It Was Easy” (1990) – 7″ Single – Bonus Edition
8. Talisman – ‘Talisman’ (1990)
9. Talisman – “I’ll Be Waiting” (1990) – 7″ Single – Bonus Edition
10. Skrapp Mettle – ‘Sensitive’ (1991)
11. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Eternal Prisoner’ (1992)
12. Bakteria – ‘Deficate! Suffocate! Mutilate! Masturbate!’ (1992 / 2009)
13. Eyes – ‘Windows of the Soul’ (1993)
14. Talisman – ‘Genesis’ (1993)
15. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘The Ballads’ (1993)
16. Biker Mice From Mars – ‘Biker Mice From Mars (Soundtrack)’ (1993)
17. Takara – ‘Eternal Faith’ (1993)
18. Talisman – ‘5 Out Of 5 (Live in Japan)’ (1994)
19. Talisman – ‘Humanimal’ (1994)
20. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Between the Walls’ (1994)
21. Gary Schutt – ‘Sentimetal’ (1994)
22. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Love Parade’ (1994)
23. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Made in Germany (Live)’ (1995)
24. Takara – ‘Taste of Heaven’ (1995)
25. Talisman – ‘Life’ (1995)
26. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Black Moon Pyramid’ (1996)
27. Human Clay – ‘Human Clay’ (1996)
28. Talisman – ‘Best of’ (1996)
29. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Magic’ (1997)
30. Human Clay – ‘U4IA’ (1997)
31. Boogie Knights – ‘Welcome to the Jungle Boogie’ (1997)
32. Takara – ‘Blind in Paradise’ (1998)
33. Talisman – ‘Truth’ (1998)
34. ‘Rock Star: Music from the Motion Picture (Soundtrack)’ – Various Artists (2001)
35. Humanimal – ‘Humanimal’ (2002)
36. Humanimal – Find My Way Home: Limited Edition E.P. (2002)
37. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Holding On E.P.’ (2002)
38. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Prism’ (2002)
39. Talisman – ‘Live at Sweden Rock Festival’ (2002)
40. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘JSS Live at the Gods 2002’ (2003)
41. Talisman – ‘Cats & Dogs’ (2003)
42. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Believe in Me E.P.’ (2004
43. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Lost in the Translation’ (2004)
44. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Live at the Queen Convention 2003’ (2004)
45. Soul SirkUS – ‘World Play’ (2004/2005)
46. Talisman – ‘Five Men Live’ (2005)
47. Talisman – ‘World’s Best Kept Secret DVD (2005)
48. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Essential Ballads’ (2006)
49. Journey – ‘Live from Atlanta (Bootleg)’ (2006)
50. Talisman – ‘7’ (2006)
51. Talisman – The Albums Ranked Worst to First
52. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘B-Sides’ (2006)
53. Redlist – ‘Ignorance’ (2007)
54. Jeff Scott Soto – LA Rocks Demo / Vinnie Vincent Demo 1988 (2008)
55. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Beautiful Mess’ (2009)
56. Jeff Scott Soto – “21st Century” / “Gin & Tonic Sky” CD Single (2009) – Bonus Edition
57. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘One Night in Madrid’ (2009)
58. Trans-Siberian Orchestra – ‘Night Castle’ (2009)
59. W.E.T. – ‘W.E.T.’ (2009)
60. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Live at Firefest 2008’ (2010)
61. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Damage Control’ (2012)
62. W.E.T. – ‘Rise Up’ (2013)
63. W.E.T. – ‘One Live in Stockholm’ (2014)
64. Jeff Scott Soto – The Authorized Biography (2014)
65. SOTO – ‘Inside the Vertigo’ (2015)
66. Joel Hoekstra’s 13 – Dying to Live (2015)
67. SOTO – ‘Divak’ (2016)
68. Sons of Apollo – ‘Psychotic Symphony’ (2017)
69. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Retribution’ (2017)
70. W.E.T. – ‘Earthrage’ (2018)
71. SOTO – ‘Origami’ (2019)
72. Sons of Apollo – ‘Live With the Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony’ (2019)
73. Sons of Apollo – ‘MMXX’ (2020)
74. Talisman – “Never Die (A Song For Marcel)” – 7″ Single (2020)
75. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Live and Loud in Milan 2019’ (2020)
76. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Wide Awake (In My Dreamland)’ (2020)
77. SOTO – ‘Revision’ (2020)
78. W.E.T. – ‘Retransmission’ (2021)
79. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘The Duets Collection, Vol. 1’ (2021)
80. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Complicated’ (2022)
81. Jeff Scott Soto – The Solo Albums Ranked Worst to First
82. Ellefson/Soto – ‘Vacation in the Underworld’ (2022)
83. Slam – Slam (2023)
84. Art of Anarchy – ‘Let There Be Anarchy’ (2024)
85. D’Luna – ‘Monster’ (2024)
86. W.E.T. – ‘Apex’ (2025)
87. Jeff Scott Soto – ALL THE ALBUMS Ranked Worst to First
88. Jeff Scott Soto / Jason Bieler – Live In Concert (2022) – Bonus Edition
89. Jeff Scotto Soto / Jason Bieler – Live in Concert (2023) – Bonus Edition