Tag: impellitteri (Page 1 of 2)

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.

One things for sure, Chris Impelitteri has kept himself busy since releasing his first EP back in ’87. This is album number ten out of the eighteen he has released so far. This is one of his best, although what has happened to the track Freakshow? On the CD release of this and Screaming Symphony, track 4 is Freakshow and it is one of the best melodic metal tracks ever recorded, but it is missing from both of the vinyl reissues. WHY?

There is not a bad second on this release. Every track squeezes every inch of metal from the grooves with riffs and solos flying in all directions. Having a killer band who are at the top of their game helps as well. Trying to pick a favourite is a tough one here, but I will go for Slay The Dragon. Insane riffing, killer groove and rhythm, and Rob Rock’s vocals are awesome. It doesn’t get better than this kiddies!

There are not many bands doing metal with melody like this anymore ,and this is pure joy to listen to.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

This is a reissue of Impellitteri’s fifth Answer To The Master by those lovely people at Night Of The Vinyl Dead. The sound had changed slightly by this time, with a much heavier groove to the tunes. We all know how impressive Chris is on guitar, but equally important to the sound is Rob Rock’s vocals, which are perfect for the music.

The Future Is Black opens up the album and it’s monster riffage all the way. It has great guitars that sound so fat and huge, it’s favourite track time already. Fly Away would make any melodic rock band proud. A very commercial sounding song with a big hook and chorus, and an added bonus of James Christian on bv’s.  A NWOBHM-style riff opens up Warrior, with just a hint of All Night Long by Rainbow. I’ll Wait closes out Side 1 with a soft intro involving an acoustic guitar and Rob’s vocal. Yup, it’s power ballad time, but at least the acoustic solo is cool.

Hold The Line kicks off Side 2 and it’s the melody and hook that drives this one. It has quite a simple riff, but the instrumental section is super cool. I wonder how long it took them to find the right tempo and groove to fit the lyrics to Something Wrong With The World Today, as it’s a very wordy song and the riff is choppy. The title track is up next and it’s another variation on THAT riff with double kicks all the way. The soloing is off the charts on this one. It’s speed metal time with Hungry Days. I love the harmony guitar and the solo is killer! Last track is The King Is Rising, and we go out as we came in with maximum riffing and big vocal melodies.

9/10 from The Grooveman.