I guess the easy starting point for this review would be to call the band a “super-group” owing to the accomplishments of all the members, as most have been doing this for forty odd years. To be honest the only member I’m not completely familiar with is Mike Orlando, as I’ve watched all the others play live and even met a couple, there should be an interview up somewhere on the site. That said, the music isn’t just a rehash of things they’ve done before and other than John Bush’s voice, everyone else’s contribution sounds new and fresh. No, I’m not saying John’s voice sounds tired and old, quite the contrary, but it’s just something that can’t be changed, and really doesn’t need to be because it fits what’s happening musically. Where was I? Super-group… Sure, but I’d rather just call them a group of exceptionally talented musicians doing something they love, writing new songs and breaking boundaries, which is what metal is all about.
Opener “In Stitches” drops straight in with a heady drum beat by Jason Bittner as Mike Orlando and Phil Demmel fill the sound with overlapping guitar rhythms and lead trade-offs before John Bush add his dulcet tones to the song while Jack Gibson adds to the bottom end matching Jason’s kick tempo.
I’m certain that John’s not alone when singing “Land I Used to Love”, but sometimes that sentiment may also not always be for the correct reason, depending on points of view, and you can hear the anger, sadness and frustration in his voice when singing it.
The lead on “Apple of Discord” is unrelenting, as it hangs on under the vocals and immediately bursts back to full power as soon as John stops singing the melodic chorus.
Very early 80’s thrash feel to the opening few bars of “Exhausted”, before it gets even heavier and with a moodier groove that’s far more mature than what bands were writing 40 years ago when speed and aggression were key.
It feels like “Runaway Truck” is describing the drums as they pound along, whether it be at breakneck speed or at a good steady pace for the guitars and vocals to bring the song to life.
Like all the titles “White Flags and Bayonets” is catchy and though provoking and has you wondering what it’s going to be about, but you can listen to the lyrics and decide for yourself, so I’ll just say that the lead trade-offs defiantly have Mike and Phil brandishing their axes with no thoughts given to surrender.
Jason’s opening salvo on “Mousetrap” is soon joined by Mike and Phil, before allowing Jack the pleasure of a brief solo that’s followed by the verse where John sings with a little more venom than is usually felt in his pitch perfect deliver.
The chunky guitar riff for “Waver at the Breaking Point” also has plenty of melody, which gives John loads of room to do some stunning stuff with his voice, like hitting some extremely high notes before dropping back down to a mellow chorus that has some chanted elements to it.
While initially “Through Pink Eyes” feels like it’s going to be extremely fast, it manages to keep the guitars sounding much slower than the intense footwork that kicks up a storm behind them, and a chorus you can’t help but keep signing along to.
“Etter Stormen” is a rather fitting title to end the album on, and it’s filled with plenty of guitar virtuosity as they trade leads, have bass solos and drum breaks a plenty during this 8-minute instrumental.
This album just keeps getting better on every listen.
(8/10 Marco Gaminara)
Leave a Reply