Tag: impellitteri (Page 1 of 2)

Now, here is a band that have consistently put out albums since they released their first EP back in ’87. Here we are, nearly 40 years later with album 19, which includes two best of’s. You know what you are gonna get here as they never stray too far from the path: high octane heavy metal with ripping solos, great melodies, and memorable hooks.

Joining Mr. Impellitteri this time is powerhouse vocalist Rob Rock, James Pulli on bass, and ex Slayer skins man Paul Bostaph. I have quite a few albums by these guys, I’m a huge fan of their music and this one is up there for me. Killer tunes with some great over the top riffage and pounding grooves. No overblown songs here as the longest track is 4:27, just straight to the point.

Of course, Chris is not only a monster riff lord but his leads are blinding and it’s nice to hear him ripping it up. Tough to pick a favourite track as this is top notch material we have here, but I’m going with Superkingdom. Very cool riff and Rob’s giving it the beans with that oh so cool voice. Really, I could have picked any of the tunes because this album is killer.

If you’re a fan you will have this anyway, but if you’re new to the party, then dive in. I guarantee you will love this. 

This is a reissue of Impellitteri’s eighth album, originally released in ’97. I do love the partnership between Chris Impellitteri and Rob Rock as they haven’t made a bad record, they compliment each other so well. Rob’s powerful melodic voice is in tune with the wild and over the top guitar of Mr. Impellitteri.

She’d Your Blood shows this partnership in great effect. The vocal line and melody would not be out of place on any melodic rock/aor album, but add that epic guitar with as much crunch and widdle as is humanly possible, then it becomes a whole different metallic beast. I do love a track with a galloping double kick drum groove and fat huge guitar sound, and Fuel For The Fire fits the bill which makes it my favourite track on the record. Bleed In Silence is taking those old sabbath riffs and injecting them with power and groove. Everything Is You starts like a Metallica tune, then that killer riff and swinging groove slaps you round the face.

They are a criminally under appreciated band that puts out consistently great records.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

This is a reissue of the band’s thirteenth album, released back in 2004. It seems to have a different running order to the CD.

Opening track Writings On The Wall is a crushing speed metal masterpiece, with Chris flying out the neo- classical runs that are so impressive. Crushing Daze owes more to modern metal with a deep, heavy, killer groove. Destruction is a more normal Impellitteri tune; a heavy Dio vibe mixed with Malmsteen style riffing, and killer solos. Dance With The Devil has an awesome, eerie, evil intro and then explodes into life with killer double kicks pounding along with some great riffing. Huge riffage opens up Hurricane, and I have to say this is my favourite. I’m a sucker for a big heavy riff with matching groove, and this one delivers. Judgement Day just slays from the off. One big classical speed metal romp. Playing is off the charts.

That’s Side 1 done and Side 2 opens up with The Iceman Cometh. Another modern metal heavy groove and riff that sounds cool. The solo also sounds killer. Punk is next up and err… I don’t mind the main riff and groove but the jury’s out on the main verse. Propaganda Mind follows and I like the melody to this one. Fat, simple riff, chunky groove, and some wild guitar… what’s not to like!? Next up is Stay Tonight, and that initial riff sounds so familiar I would say this is the most melodic tune on the album. We close out the album with The Fall Of Titus. Straight to the action with this one. Killer riff and double kicks a plenty.

One of the most underrated bands around, and Chris has been doing this since his first EP in ’87.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.