by Greg Prato
Although best known as a heavy metal vocalist, Doro certainly also has a softer side -- as evidenced by such releases as 2005's Classic Diamonds (which saw the singer backed by a symphony) and especially 2001's The Ballads. As its title clearly states, the 13-track collection focuses strictly on Doro's more serene compositions, something that old-school Warlock fans may have difficulty coming to terms with. But rarely has the singer's voice been showcased as well as it is here, especially on such tracks as "Für Immer" and a cover of "A Whiter Shade of Pale." That said, there are also quite a few tracks that tread on power ballad schmaltz, a prime culprit being "Children of the Night." In fact, with the presence of quite a few unmistakably heavy metal guitar solos, a much more fitting title would have been "The Power Ballads."