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Edguy – Age of the Joker
Edguy – Age of the Joker (2011, Nuclear Blast Records)
1. Robin Hood … 8:24
2. Nobody’s Hero … 4:31
3. Rock of Cashel … 6:18
4. Pandora’s Box … 6:45
5. Breathe … 5:03
6. Two Out of Seven … 4:27
7. Faces in the Darkness … 5:22
8. The Arcane Guild … 4:58
9. Fire on the Downline … 5:46
10. Behind the Gates to Midnight World … 8:56
11. Every Night Without You … 4:52
Band:
Tobias Sammet – Vocals
Jens Ludwig – Guitar
Dirk Sauer – Guitar
Tobias Exxel – Bass
Felix Bohnke – Drums
Producer: Sascha Paeth
Wow, I had planned on reviewing this one as soon as it came out but I just kept putting it off despite having already given Age of the Joker a few (unfocused) listen. Having given the album a few more attentive spins, Age of the Joker is a really good album that is easily an improvement over Tinnitus Sanctus (which itself was a fine album and one of the best of that year but was missing a certain spark I heard on Rocket Ride …yes, I’m a fan).
For a number of uptight power metal fans, Rocket Ride and Tinnitus Sanctus are considered to be low-points for Edguy. With those albums they took on more of an eighties melodic hard rock flavor though Tinnitus Sanctus was the heavier of the two albums that saw them going back into a metallic direction. I would imagine the same fans that derided the last two albums will have mixed feelings about this new release.
Age of the Joker borrows from both the power metal and the catchy hard rock eras of Edguy while also incorporating elements of Sammet’s Avantasia epics. Other than the goofy humor that Edguy displays with an eight minute song like “Robin Hood” (and if you don’t think these guys are taking the piss just watch the video for it), it’s getting hard to distinguish the two groups these days because they’ve both moved into a more friendly melodic hard rock/metal direction over the last few year. Perhaps it’s time to start using a producer other than Sascha Paeth…
Stylistically, I think the album art is a conscious effort on the band’s part to make the jaded fans take them more seriously after having last seen cartoon aliens riding a rocket ship and an ear-bleeding Jesus Christ being sported on the covers. This cover art reminds me of the cover to Mandrake even if it is still a bi
There’s a little something for everyone here. You want old school Edguy? Check out “Robin Hood” and “The Arcane Guild”. You want something more in line with Rocket Ride? You’ve got “Nobody’s Hero”, the bluegrassy “Pandora’s Box” and the power ballad “Every Night Without You”. Hey, were you a big fan of the recent Avantasia albums? Give “Rock of Cashel” and “Behind the Gates to Midnight World” a listen.
It all adds up to make one heck of a high quality album that is one of 2011′s best releases. In fact, I don’t think there are any filler tracks here (I would peg “Robin Hood” as my least favorite though). The band has quite possibly released one of their most consistent albums yet.
Highlights: ”Nobody’s Hero”, “Rock of Cashel”, “Pandora’s Box”, “Two Out of Seven”, “Fire on the Downline”, “Behind the Gates to Midnight World”, “Every Night Without You”
http://www.edguy.net
http://www.facebook.com/edguy
http://www.twitter.com/_edguy
Buy ‘Age of the Joker’ at Amazon.com
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Black Veil Brides – Set The World On Fire
Black Veil Brides – Set The World On Fire (2011, Universal Republic Records/Lava Records)
1. “New Religion” … 3:50
2. “Set the World on Fire” … 3:39
3. “Fallen Angels” … 3:45
4. “Love Isn’t Always Fair” … 4:13
5. “God Bless You” … 3:18
6. “Rebel Love Song” … 3:57
7. “Saviour” … 4:23
8. “The Legacy” … 4:40
9. “Die for You” … 3:43
10. “Ritual” … 3:30
11. “Youth & Whisky” … 3:30
Band:
Andy Biersack – Vocals
Jake Pitts – Guitar
Jinxx – Guitar, Violin
Ashley Purdy – Bass
Christian Coma – Drums
Producer: Josh Abraham & Christopher Walken
Hollywood, CA’s Black Veil Brides are among the current crop of Hot Topic darlings and while there are a few screamo moments on this disc, the band has much more in common with ’80s metal than some might realize. The cool thing is the band doesn’t try to hide their influences. They cite Motley Crue & KISS as big influences (which is obvious based on image alone) but have also stated Def Leppard’s Hysteria was the inspiration for the recording & production process of this album.
Surprisingly, BVB is made up of some good talent. Pitts & Jinxx are a very good guitar duo and have no problem playing fast & furious while firing off solos. Vocalist Andy Biersack can growl and scream with the best (worst) of the current trendy metal crowd but the guy can actually sing too and that’s when this album is at its best. Thankfully, the screaming is kept to a minimum on Set The World On Fire and the band doesn’t come across as the cliched angry, disenfranchised or depressed youths like so many other bands from the metalcore movement.
With elements of glam metal, speed metal, power metal & metalcore, the Brides bring what I would call extreme glam metal to the masses. Their look and sound is heavy and unique enough to interest the wrist-cutters but there’s enough of an ’80s metal influence (featuring catchy choruses and slick production values and even a power ballad thrown in) to grab the ear of those that are fans of the Age of Aqua Net.
By the way, my copy of the album came with a mini fold-out poster of Jake Pitts. How cute.
Highlights: ”Set the World on Fire”, “Love Isn’t Always Fair”, “God Bless You”, “Saviour”, “The Legacy”, “Ritual”
http://www.bvbarmy.com
http://www.facebook.com/Blackveilbrides
Scheepers – Scheepers
Scheepers (2011, Frontiers Records)
1. “Locked in the Dungeon” … 4:08
2. “Remission of Sin” … 4:09
3. “Cyberfreak” … 3:45
4. “The Fall” … 4:05
5. “Doomsday” … 6:28
6. “Saints of Rock” … 4:32
7. “Before the Dawn” … 3:06
8. “Back on the Track” … 4:40
9. “Dynasty” … 3:57
10. “The Pain of the Accused” … 6:18
11. “Play with Fire” … 4:08
12. “Compassion” … 3:16
Musicians:
Ralf Scheepers – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards
Magnus Karlsson – Guitar, Banjo, Accordian, Keyboards
Sander Gommans – Guitar
Mat Sinner – Bass, Keyboards
Snowy Shaw – Drums
Tim “Ripper” Owens – Lead Vocals (“Remission of Sin”)
Kai Hansen – Guitar
“Metal” Mike Chlasciak – Guitar
Alex Beyrodt – Guitar
Victor Smolski – Guitar
Producer: Mat Sinner & Ralf Scheepers
Ralf Scheepers is a guy whose work I’m not too familiar with. I know he was Gamma Ray’s original vocalist and then went to form Primal Fear with Mat Sinner. I do have a few Primal Fear albums but haven’t given them anything more than one or two casual listens but it’s pretty obvious that group (and Scheepers himself) have been heavily influenced by Judas Priest.
With my elementary knowledge of Primal Fear, I dare say this debut solo album does not stray too far from the power/speed metal sound Primal Fear is known for. Actually, this isn’t even a leap for me to say since only Primal Fear member Randy Black is missing from this album and it appears Mat Sinner and Magnus Karlsson played on the majority of the tracks in addition to various co-writing credits. Really begs the question of why this is a solo project at all since their is little to no departure in terms of sound or even band personnel. Oh well.
Though this is a solo outing for Ralf (his first), the Priest connection stays strong. First off, Scheepers sounds a lot like Halford. He’s not copying Halford, this is just what he sounds like. So similar are their voices that Ralf was once in the running to join Priest when Rob left (no truth to the rumor that he would’ve changed his name to Ralford if he got the gig). Secondly, Scheepers covers the ballad “Before the Dawn” from Hell Bent for Leather (Killing Machine for those of you that don’t live in a repressed society). Thirdly, the man who actually did get the Priest gig (Tim “Ripper” Owens) duets with him on “Remission of Sin”. Fourthly, Halford guitarist “Metal” Mike Chalsiak cameos as well!
“Locked In the Dungeon” is an appropriate power metal pounder to kick off the album and Ralf’s performance shines. “Remission of Sin” is a treat just to hear two gifted vocalists duet with each other. The chorus sounds like ’80s Priest circa Screaming for Vengeance. It’s just amazing how much Ralf sounds like Halford at times with “The Fall” being a perfect example. Not only is the vocal performance just like Rob but it sounds like the type of sound Halford would do in his own solo band.
Other highlights are the moody “Doomsday”, the stellar cover of “Before The Dawn” and the ballad “The Pain of the Accused”. Some filler such as the cheesy “Saints Of Rock” (Halford probably would’ve loved to have had this on Made of Metal) and generic rocker “Back On The Track” have unfortunately found their way onto this album but overall this is still a good “solo” outing and should please fans of Primal Fear.
Highlights: “Locked In The Dungeon”, “Remission of Sin”, “The Fall”, “Doomsday”, “Before The Dawn”, “The Pain of the Accused”
HammerFall – Infected
HammerFall – Infected (2011, Nuclear Blast Records)
1. “Patient Zero”
2. “B.Y.M.”
3. “One More Time”
4. “The Outlaw”
5. “Send Me A Sign”
6. “Dia De Los Muertos”
7. “I Refuse”
8. “666 – The Enemy Within”
9. “Immortalized”
10. “Let’s Get It On”
11. “Redemption”
Band:
Joacim Cans – Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
Oscar Dronjak – Guitar, Backing Vocals, Keyboards
Pontus Norgren – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Fredrik Larsson – Bass, Backing Vocals
Anders Johansson – Drums
Producer: Pontus Norgren & Oscar Dronjak with James Michael
This is the second HammerFall album I’ve heard (the first being their album of cover songs called Masterpieces). I’ve been aware of the band for years but with modern power metal not really my cup of tea, I’ve stayed away from them for the most part. The few samples I ever did listen to online never really impressed me and seemed cheesy and generic (as most power metal does to my ears).
When I found out that James Michael was producing this album, I thought that this could be an interesting partnership and wanted to check it out. Michael has written, mixed, engineered and/or produced for the Scorpions, Motley Crue, Papa Roach, Trapt, Hillary Duff, Saliva, Sara Evans, Halestorm, Vince Neil, 12 Stones and Meat Loaf in addition to being the vocalist/producer in Sixx:A.M. My hopes were that with Michael in the booth he could steer the band into a more modern direction so I wouldn’t have to sit through 11 tedious tracks about dragons, kings, warriors, metal, gods, thunderstorms, hammers, swords and knights. I think Ronnie James Dio and Manowar have those topics pretty well covered, thank you.
There is a loose zombie theme starting with the album’s title, cover art and photos inside the booklet. I think this is where some HammerFall fans allowed their eyes to judge instead of their ears as I’ve seen many reviews online calling this album mediocre or flat-out poor. Zombies in power metal? Blasphemy! This is no concept album and ”Patient Zero”, “Dia De Los Muertos” and “Immortalized” are really the only songs that seem to reference the living dead. Upon closer inspection the rest of the songs see the band lyrically sticking to the tried & true power metal formula of talking about evil, banging your head, standing up for yourself and fighting for what you believe in.
Musically, I think HammerFall have gone in a slightly different direction than what fans may be used to. It’s still power metal/traditional heavy metal, there’s no doubt about that and there is still the aroma of cheese in the air (comes with the territory) but it doesn’t sound as dated to me like so much European power metal does.
Not sure if I’ll ever go back and check out HammerFall’s previous albums but for a first-timer, I think this album is a pretty cool and I’ve spun it probably 7-8 times since buying it.
By the way, the album comes with some cool artwork. The black & red art was inserted into the jewel case as the cover while the white & red art is the cover of the CD booklet. I like both.
Highlights: “Patient Zero”, “One More Time”, “The Outlaw”, “Send Me A Sign”, “Dia De Los Muertos”, “I Refuse”
http://www.facebook.com/hammerfall
http://www.hammerfall.net
DareDevil Squadron – Out Of The Sun
DareDevil Squadron – Out of the Sun (2010, self-released)
1. Out of the Sun … 3:46
2. Punishment Fits … 3:47
3. Forgotten Son … 3:41
4. Back Lounge … 3:17
5. Hero Falls … 4:12
6. Chronicles of Sorrow Pt. 1: An Eternity Of Forgetfulness … 6:21
7. Streets of Montmartre … 4:13
8. Power Trip … 3:35
9. Faith Hope Love … 4:32
10. Lillian … 3:43
Band:
Andrew Ross – Lead Vocals, Mandolin
Angus Clark – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Aurelien Budynek – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Chris Altenhoff – Bass, Backing Vocals
Jason Gianni – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Producer: DareDevil Squadron
Got turned onto this band because of my May 2011 of Trans-Siberian Orchestra review where I noted the amazing vocal talents of Andrew Ross and after seeing my review, the band contacted me and was extremely nice in hooking me up with a copy of Out of the Sun. It’s such a phenomenal release, I’m surprised I wasn’t aware of it beforehand!
Again, Ross absolutely shines throughout the whole album. It’s good to know he sounds good as good live as he does on record and let’s not forget about the guitars! Some really great work is being put in by Aurelien Budynek and Angus Clark (also tours with TSO, so you already know he’s a great guitar player). There are some really smokin’ solos and great riffs all throughout this disc.
The really cool thing about the album is that while it’s all metal, there’s a few different styles. “Out of the Sun” is a fiery opening number and displays that Iron Maiden is obviously an influence on this band and that’s readily apparent on others numbers too thanks to the twin guitar attack (“Forgotten Son”, “Streets of Montmarte”). The boogie of “Back Lounge” sounds like something that could’ve come from one of the Sunset Strip bands. “Chronicles of Sorrow Pt. 1″ displays a progressive side to the band while ”Lillian” sounds like an unreleased Thin Lizzy track (“Hero Falls” sounds a bit like Lizzy too) and closes the album on a fun, infectious note.
Maiden, power metal, progressive, Lizzy and a bit of classic rock all combine to make Out of the Sun one heck of an album. Not a single filler track to be found. DareDevil Squadron has got to be one of the best metal bands I have heard in sometime. All around high-quality players, Ross’ singing is just off the charts and they’re writing great songs. People really need to seek this band and album out. Definitely one of the best albums that came out last year.
Highlights: “Out of the Sun”, “Punishment Fits”, “Back Lounge”, “Chronicles of Sorrow Pt. 1: An Eternity of Forgetfulness”, “Streets of Montmartre”, “Power Trip”
http://www.daredevilsquadron.com
http://www.facebook.com/daredevilsquadron
Concert Review: Trans-Siberian Orchestra – 4/27/11
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
4/27/11
Pensacola Civic Center in Pensacola, Florida
My second time seeing TSO and understandably the show was a bit scaled back compared to what they do on their winter tours. Oh, don’t worry, they still have the full orchestra and band, smoke, fire, lazers, video screens, etc. It was just a smaller stage than when I saw them back in 2009 and that’s not because the Civic Center couldn’t handle a full show. As far as I know, the “Beethoven’s Last Night Tour” is the group’s first non-holiday tour so while they can pack ‘em in during the holidays, they were probably just being cautious as to how well this tour will be received. I was actually a bit surprised to see them only making use of about a fourth of the arena. It was packed though so I would estimate around 3,000 people were there since the entire arena holds up to 12,000.
Obviously, being called the “Beethoven’s Last Night Tour”, the majority of the evening was devoted to the Beethoven’s Last Night album that was released in 2000 (which was their first non-holiday album). I have never heard that album in its entirety but I think anyone who is a fan of their holiday shows would also enjoy the music here. It’s all done in the same rock/metal/classical style, it just isn’t about Christmas.
I knew Beethoven’s Last Night probably wasn’t going to be the whole show and luckily it wasn’t. For the encore, things got a bit heavier as the band played a few numbers from Night Castle and also a few Savatage songs as well (“Sleep” and “Chance”). The Beethoven was filled with tons of great songs but I really like all the encore numbers just because they were much heavier and darker. That’s when TSO really showed their heavy metal roots and reminded you that without Savatage, TSO may have never existed.
As for the performances, of course everyone was spot-on all night long. The core of Trans-Siberian Orchestra is Savatage so there was Al Pitrelli & Chris Caffery on guitar, Jeff Plate on drums and Johnny Lee Middleton on bass. I gotta say it was great seeing Pitrelli live, that guy is a monster (as one point during the Beethoven part of the show, he stopped to play a little Hendrix). The last time I saw TSO it was Caffery & Skolnick. Also, another highlight was seeing THE Jeff Scott Soto in person. He played the part of Mephistopheles and what a voice! He also came out for the encore and sang “Another Way You Can Die”. Two other great vocalists I should point out are Rob Evan (who played Beethoven) and Andrew Ross. Narrator Bryan Hicks did a tremendous job as well.
All the other musicians were fantastic like violinist Roddy Chong and all the female vocalists were mind-blowingly good (and sexy!) as well. Everyone is worth mentioning by name but you must forgive me because I can’t seem to find any tour credits at this moment.
While the entire Beethoven album is littered with many great songs, I have to say the encore is what I liked best. I love it when TSO gets fast and furious and heavy and that did definitely that. And it’s a good thing they chose to close the show with a cover of Savatage’s “Chance” because that song is an absolute show-stopper. Everyone came out on stage and it was a great way to cap off the night.
Set List:
Overture
Midnight
Fate
What Good This Deafness
Mephistopheles
What Is Eternal
Mozart and Memories
Vienna
Mozart / Figaro
The Dreams of Candlelight
Requiem (The Fifth)
The Dark
Für Elise
After the Fall
A Last Illusion
This Is Who You Are
Beethoven
Misery
Who Is This Child
A Final Dream
Encore:
Toccata – Carpimus Noctem
The Mountain
Sleep
Better Listen To This
Another Way You Can Die
Carmina Burana
Chance
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Hunted – Welcome The Dead
Hunted – Welcome the Dead (2010, self-released)
1. “Welcome The Dead (Intro)” … 1:20
2. “The Silence of Minds” … 6:04
3. “Chosen” … 4:29
4. “Aria (In Memoriam)” … 8:49
5. “The Incident” … 0:34
6. “Impaled” … 5:11
7. “Scars” … 5:23
8. “I Want Nothing” … 5:42
9. “Shadows” … 7:01
10. “The Heart Collector” … 5:49
Band:
Chris G – Vocals
Steven Barberini – Guitar
Jon Letson – Bass
Matt ‘Animal’ Thomas – Drums
Produced by: Tim Hamill & Hunted
Based out of Wales, Hunted are a band that’s 100% metal but they provide a few slight twists and turns throughout Welcome the Dead. Progressive, thrash, power and melodic metal really seem to be the key ingredients in making up this album. These guys were obviously influenced by bands like Metallica, Dream Theater, Iced Earth, Iron Maiden, Helloween and Nevermore (who they cover on this album with “The Heart Collector”). Vocalist Chris G reminds me a lot of Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens and Warrel Dane so he’s certainly more than able to handle these songs with power, precision and pitch. The production is great and I felt the drums especially were captured very well.
To be honest, this album took me a few spins to get into it. That’s not a knock on Hunted, that’s usually the norm for me when it comes to any band with a progressive sound. I’ve since been able to sit back and soak in the wonderful hooks, melodies, riffs and vocals. Hunted is really a band that should be on some type of label somewhere, they’re just that good. Songs like “Scars” and “The Silence of Minds” are pretty fantastic and need a wider audience. This band obviously knows what they are doing. The music and the CD packaging have superior production values, so hopefully this album will get them onto a label so they can gain some more exposure.
Welcome the Dead is a very good find for progressive/power metal fans.
Highlights: “The Silence of Minds”, “Chosen”, “Scars”, “Shadows”
Cult of the Fox – The Sea Beneath The Sand
Cult of the Fox – The Sea Beneath the Sand (2010, self-released)
1. “I’m Working On That” … 5:24
2. “Letters of Fire and Sword” … 5:03
3. “Out of Order” … 4:33
4. “The Sea Beneath The Sand” … 3:55
Band:
Magnus Hultman – Vocals
Per Persson – Guitar
Peter Svensson – Bass
Daniel Fritze – Drums
The Sea Beneath The Sand is old school heavy metal and the latest round of demos/EP (third total) from Sweden’s Cult of the Fox. Drawing on influences such as Manowar, Iced Earth, Judas Priest, Dio and Grave Digger the band plays in a traditional metal/’80s power metal style. They cite themselves as contemporary metal but I only really get that feeling (and just slightly) on the pounding “I’m Working On That”, which also seems to cross over into stoner rock territory.
Given that this is a set of demos, there is a simple and organic feel to the production but that works in favor of the songs, giving them a bit more teeth. “Letters of Fire and Sword” (great title!) is the EP’s true standout track. Just a galloping good time with some nice bass and it displays a bit of a thrashier of the band reminding of Metallica and Iron Maiden. “Out of Order” is an upbeat anthem about rebel-rousing and “The Sea Beneath The Sand” starts off slow and then picks up the pace with some Maiden gallop.
These demos are a solid listen and they shows that Cult of the Fox are a band with a lot of promise. I would definitely be interested in hearing what the band could do on an entire album. Recommended for fans of classic metal.
Highlights: “I’m Working On That”, “Letters of Fire and Sword”
http://www.cultofthefox.com
http://www.facebook.com/cultofthefox
http://www.myspace.com/cultofthefox
Grave Digger – The Clans Will Rise Again
Grave Digger – The Clans Will Rise Again (2010, Napalm Records)
1. “Days Of Revenge” … 1:58
2. “Paid In Blood” … 3:58
3. “Hammer Of The Scots” … 4:02
4. “Highland Farewell” … 4:08
5. “The Clans Will Rise Again” … 5:01
6. “Rebels” … 4:41
7. “Valley Of Tears” … 4:09
8. “Execution” … 4:46
9. “Whom The Gods Love Die Young” … 6:12
10. “Spider” … 3:19
11. “The Piper McLeod” … 0:49
12. “Coming Home” … 4:23
13. “When Rain Turns To Blood” … 6:14
Bonus Track
14. “Watch Me Die” …3:55
Band:
Chris Boltendahl – Vocals
Axel Ritt – Guitar
Jens Becker – Bass
Stefan Arnold – Drums
HP Katzenberg – Keyboards
Additional Musicians:
Florian Bohm – Bagpipes
Producer: Chris Boltendahl
Another year, another Grave Digger release! This one is supposed to be a sequel to 1996′s Tunes of War. This album came out at the right time for me. After listening to last year’s Ballads Of A Hangman just recently, I was in the mood to try out some more Grave Digger. If there was one problem I had with Ballads it’s that the songs often blended together, they were too similar to my ears. Luckily that’s not the case with The Clans Will Rise Again. I think the use of bagpipes really helps gives this album and the songs their own flavor and identity but it’s not like they’re all over the place but they help spice things up. The entire album just seems more aggressive and melodic while featuring more tempo changes than Ballads.
Ballads took me a long time and many tries before I finally got into it and enjoyed it but Clans I’ve instantly liked. Just some ferocious power metal to be found all throughout. Boltendahl really comes through with some powerful and harsh vocals doing a great job but his rough voice is almost comical on some of the slower moments like when “When Rain Turns To Blood” starts off.
Not really sure how you go about getting the “bonus track”. I thought it was exclusive to the digipak version but my copy came in a standard jewel case and I still have the song.
The Clans Will Rise Again is another good album that cements my status as a fan of Grave Digger and encourages me to check out more of their albums…
Highlights: “Hammer Of The Scots”, “Highland Farewell”, “The Clans Will Rise Again”, “Rebels”, “Valley Of Tears”, “When Rain Turns To Blood”
http://www.grave-digger-clan.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Official-GRAVE-DIGGER-Fan-Site/256056408537
http://www.myspace.com/gravediggerclan
David Rock Feinstein – Bitten By The Beast
David Rock Feinstein – Bitten By The Beast (2010, Niji Entertainment Group)
1. “Smoke On The Horizon” … 4:49
2. “Evil In Me” … 6:44
3. “Break Down The Walls” … 4:27
4. “Metal Will Never Die” … 5:20
5. “Kill The Demon” … 5:42
6. “Rock’s Boogie” … 4:04
7. “Give Me Mercy” … 4:04
8. “Run For Your Life” … 4:13
9. “Gambler Gambler” … 4:05
Musicians:
David “Rock” Feinstein – Vocals, Guitar, Bass
Nate Horton – Drums
Ronnie James Dio – Vocals (“Metal Will Never Die”)
Garry Bordonaro – Bass (“Metal Will Never Die”)
Carl Canedy – Drums (“Metal Will Never Die”)
Producer: David “Rock” Feinstein
A significant album if for only one reason, it features one of the final vocal performances of David’s cousin — Ronnie James Dio. So I admit that was the major selling point for me because I had picked up Feinstein’s Third Wish CD when that first came out I was disappointed by it. I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this album but it’s a solid slab old school hard rock and heavy metal. Though I’m not familiar too much with the band (other than a few songs), I’ve read some reviews saying the sound is similar to The Rods, which Feinstein is a member of. Though this is a solo album, when it comes to the Dio track “Metal Will Never Die”, it’s the complete Rods line-up of Feinstein, Bordonaro and Canedy backing him up. Pretty cool!
There’s a heavy blues influence to this album with Feinstein showing his roots in Elf. “Rock’s Boogie” and “Gambler Gambler” are like Elf on steroids while “Smoke On The Horizon”, “Evil In Me”, “Run For Your Life” and “Kill The Demon” are just pure heavy metal with some blistering guitar work from David. Of course, “Metal Will Never Die” is the real highlight of the album — it’s Ronnie & The Rods! A typically great vocal performance from Dio. It’s a mid-tempo number sounding like something he may have recorded on a later Dio album, maybe Killing the Dragon or Master of the Moon. I had read there was talk between Ronnie & David about doing a full album together, it’s a shame we’ll never get to hear that.
My one complaint about this album is the mix. The vocals are pushed way too much in the back. At first, when listening to “Smoke On The Horizon”, I thought maybe that was the effect Feinstein was going for with that particular but it’s the same case throughout the CD. This is especially apparent on “Metal Will Never Die”, the mix just doesn’t do Ronnie justice. It’s almost like there is some weird vocal effect going on throughout the whole album. The guitars sound great though, nice dirty sound to them and Feinstein is definitely a gifted guitarist and knows how to write riffs. It’s puzzling he never found more success during heavy metal’s ’80s heyday.
Overall, DRF has turned in one fine old school metal album!
Highlights: “Smoke On The Horizon”, “Evil In Me”, “Metal Will Never Die”, “Run For Your Life”
http://www.myspace.com/davidrockfeinstein
http://www.bittenbythebeast.com/
