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When Rebellious Spirit’s debut album Gamble Shot was released in 2013, their singer Jannik Fischer was still only 17. His brother Jens, the band’s bassist, had just turned 20. Their naivety was writ large in the music.

Inspired by 80s hair metal, Rebellious Spirit were channeling Poison, Mötley Crüe and Skid Row. Problem was, for all their gusto, they sounded like a youth club band – feeble.

One year on, much has changed. Their sound is heavier and has a contemporary edge: less Faster Pussycat, more Velvet Revolver. Jannik Fischer’s voice has greater authority, and their new songs have far more weight.

Obsession is a modern arena-rock record in the style of H.e.a.t. Every track is an anthem. And while Summer Moved On is a throwback to the glory days of Poison, there’s an AOR influence in the standout track In My Dreams.

The whiff of cheese remains: distinctly European. But these boys have become men./o:p

Freelance writer for Classic Rock since 2005, Paul Elliott has worked for leading music titles since 1985, including Sounds, Kerrang!, MOJO and Q. He is the author of several books including the first biography of Guns N’ Roses and the autobiography of bodyguard-to-the-stars Danny Francis. He has written liner notes for classic album reissues by artists such as Def Leppard, Thin Lizzy and Kiss, and currently works as content editor for Total Guitar. He lives in Bath - of which David Coverdale recently said: “How very Roman of you!”