Remember Dan Spitz, go on think back, yep that’s him one time guitarist on the first six Anthrax albums before leaving music altogether and becoming a master Swiss watchmaker. Mr Spitz also states he has obsessive compulsive disorder and that his two twin sons both have autism. These have a relevance to the subject matter lyrically on this album which also has Dave Mustaine involved in the song writing but not the playing. I have to admit to being very cynical about listening to this album expecting some mish mash mix of Anthrax and Megadeth hoping for a cash-in on the exploding metal scene. Definitely not the case here as the overall mix and song writing offers much more than that and is definitely more fixed within modern metal than thrash or speed. Dan plays most of the instruments though the drumming and vocals are done superbly by Patrick Johansson and Don Chaffin respectively.
This is a seriously emotive album with powerful lyrics being used just as much as the actual riffs and music for power which begins with a rather lovely melody on “The Cage” with haunting vocals before bursting out of its cage with some Annihilator like speediness on the riffing and drums. The lyrics point in the direction of a person in sufferance with an ability to escape the torment, powerful stuff indeed and very heavy too towards the end of the song. “Runaway Train” has a vocal tone similar to Chuck Billy (Testament) with a good rhythm being deployed alongside a groove metal feel. The drum work by Patrick is formidable, driving deep into each song like a pummelling piledriver. “Standby Passenger” is a bruising tune with hints of someone like Baroness for the heaviness and laced with a guitar melody to just lay back and absorb. “One Shell (In The Chamber)” is another throat gulping song lyrically seemingly focusing on suicide and what might go through someone’s mind right before the deed based on my interpretation. Musically there is more than the odd reference to Rage Against The Machine here and it works.
A particularly poignant tune is “Puzzle Box” and showcases the struggles that autism imposes on not just the child but the family enduring the trials and tribulations such a condition produces. The emotive power is spine chilling with the Pantera like beat being supremely heavy with some exceptional lead work; a facet that truly saturates this album in every way. Staying with the poignancy for a moment and “Keep Pushing Me” refers to Dan’s OCD and obviously other people with the condition which can often destroy a person’s existence in society, even the lyrics are written with such an OCD directive with repeated patterns being utilised cleverly to great effect. Again it’s a very heavy song and probably one of the heaviest on the album and also the fastest with some Arch Enemy like guitar work being unleashed in a thoroughly engaging tune. “Get Up” follows this with a cracking riff and beat. The riff break is exquisite as well, as “Don’t Threaten To Love Me” possesses a Mustaine like vocals tone which in fact pops up in a number of places on the album. “Warpaint” even has some hints of Soundgarden which may put some people off but it shouldn’t as it works and is relevant.
I didn’t expect much from this release but I got a real surprise from an album that switches styles with fabulous ease creating an album that ebbs and flows with exceptional guitar playing and flawless song writing. Check it out as you will be extremely pleased you did.
(9/10 Martin Harris)
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