| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Frontiers | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2024 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 11 | Rating: 70% |
| Running Time: 43:06 |
We’re big fans of Impellitteri, and the groups Frontiers Records November of 2024 twelfth full length album War Machine should be one that raises our pulse. It does and it doesn’t. The group continues to field one of the more talented rosters in all hard music. Front man Rob Rock, better known as ‘the voice of Melodic Metal’, remains at the top of his soaring, classic tenor vocal game. Likewise, guitarist Chris Impellitteri, with apt reputation as one of the world’s fastest guitarists, maintains his shred based and neo-classical propensities. Practiced drummer Paul Bostaph (Slayer) rounds out the rhythm section with long-term and equally proficient bassist James Pulli.
If musical ability is not the issue, what is? War Machine is lone Impellitteri album in which I struggle to embrace musically. Hinge upon which the door revolves is a repetitive element found in a few too many tracks basing upon a similar fast paced tempo, resulting in an environment in which catchy hooks, riffs and melodies struggle to stand out. Making matters further problematic is several songs impress as rehashed versions of counterparts appearing on the group’s previous album The Nature Of The Beast (TNOTB) from 2018
To get to the heart of the matter, it is necessary to closely look at Impellitteri’s recent history beginning with 2015’s tenth album Venom, which impressed as ‘the most consistently fastest album from Impellitteri to date’ as a result of ‘(specializing) in fleet but short pieces’ (quoting the 85% Angelic Warlord review either way). While I hesitated to use the term ‘speed metal’ (again, referencing the review), I accepted the expeditious form to Venom as an evolution to the groups sound.
Impellitteri took that evolution to the next level on TNOTB, which in my opinion represents the groups finest hour by ‘reaching the apex of its songwriting abilities, with founding member and guitarist extraordinaire Chris Impellitteri compiling one of his most inspired group of songs’ (quoting the 95% Angelic Warlord review). Said inspiration manifests in higher levels of diversity, realized in several melodic cuts, a couple in the creative six minute range, a pair of inspired cover tracks and choice sampling of speed based numbers hearkening back to Venom.
With War Machine, however, the group bypasses the variety that made TNOTB special for a Venom style package of predominantly speed based songs. The lack of varying tempos resulting in songs not given the room to breathe and choruses that correspondingly fail to hit, points to the fact faster is not always better. Consider in this capacity “War Machine”, “Superkingdom”, “Wrathchild” and “Just Another Day”. Yes, each is fleet as it gets and expertly performed but also fall victim to that ‘repetitive element’ in question in that there is nary a catchy hook, riff or melody among them. Despite given ample opportunity to do so, neither of the four register with me.
Far as rehashed versions of TNOTB songs listen to “Power Grab” and “Light It Up” alongside respective counterparts “Do You Think I’m Mad” and “Fire It Up” and tell me there is not a close resemblance in terms of melody. I do not wish to nitpick but overall feel is ‘I have heard this before’ or at the very least there is a lack of staying power when songs closely mirror those on a previous album. It brings to mind a quote from the courtroom scene of one of my favorite movies A Few Good Men in which Judge Julius Alexander Randolph (played by J.A. Preston) annoyingly says to Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise) during his cross-examination of Col. Nathan R. Jessep (Jack Nicholson), ‘Lieutenant I think we’ve covered this, haven’t we?’
“Light It Up” is also first of two ‘pro metal’ songs:
Light it up, fire in the sky
When the lights go down
And the music comes alive
Light it up, fire in the sky
Hold your horns up high
As your screaming in the night
Not to be pretentious but impression is something Twisted Sister might come up with in 1985. In all seriousness, I cannot help but feel Impellitteri capable of addressing more meaningful (or at the least a lot less corny) subject matters. To be fair Rob Rock is highly regarded for his choice lyrical abilities, particularly in light of how otherwise War Machine focuses on current events and social issues while briefly touching upon faith-based matters, at least in comparison to prior albums from the group. While not a Christian band, Impellitteri does include two believing members in Rock and James Pulli, whom in the liner notes each thank ‘my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’.
That said, War Machine is not without its share of choice material - Impellitteri are too talented to completely strike out - beginning with debut single “Out Of My Mind (Heavy Metal)”. As its namesake implies, it is another pro-metal song:
We live for rock and roll, together we will rise
We’re moshin’ in the pit tonight
Horns up and bang your head
My fist is raised up high
And now were lighting up the sky
I’m outta my mind with heavy metal
I’m feeding my soul with pure aggression
I’m crossing the line, into obsession
When all that I love is heavy metal
I know exactly how everyone is thinking: a green with envy Dee Snider must be saying to himself, ‘Why didn’t I think of that?” Again, with all seriousness, “Out Of My Mind” hearkens back to the groups prime nineties material (think Screaming Symphony and Answer To The Master) from bringing one of albums strongest melodies. For the same reason I take to “Gone Insane” due to backing from some of the all out speed and reinforcing a choice chorus hook in the process. It does not hurt the instrumental passage features a fantastic stretch of neo-classical lead guitar work ensued by a jazzy bass solo.
In a heavier vein is “What Lies Beneath” with its darker form to see guitars forwardly placed for the refrain ensued by angelic choir vocals (very creative) and “Beware The Hunter” in giving prominence to a traditional metal vibe revealed in its use of ‘barking dog’ backing vocals (sort of like Saint). Chris Impellitteri imparts each with an extended stretch of his splitting lead guitar (his soloing is worth the price of admission alone). Finally, my favorite is “Hell On Earth” from hearkening back to 2000’s Crunch with its slicing guitar riffs and chaotic double bass. One cannot deny Bostaph was an excellent choice to handle albums timekeeping.
Hope I have not been unfairly harsh in my treatise of War Machine. Perhaps the fact TNOTB set the bar so high, any album Impellitteri records in follow up has potential to pale in comparison. For instance, how does Bride top Snakes In The Playground? That said I do not think I am out line to suggest the group does not take the next step in its musical evolution on War Machine from reverting to the faster means to Venom. Repeat listen reveals a good measure of the hooks, riffs and melodies that made the group’s prior material so memorable missing in the process.
Which begs the following question: in order for a heavy metal band to be effective, does it need to approach with an aggressive acumen not unlike the 1985 Chicago Bears and ‘get there the fastest with the mostest’? Perhaps taking a step back and pursuing a more accessible sound while retaining its ingrained heaviness might be the better recipe for success. In order to achieve such an end, I encourage each member of Impellitteri to spend better part of the next month listening non-stop to more memorable and immediately recognizable new Stryper album When We Were Kings.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “War Machine” (3:33), “Out Of My Mind (Heavy Metal) (4:21), “Superkingdom” (4:03), “Wrathchild” (3:05), “What Lies Beneath” (4:27), “Hell On Earth” (3:41), “Power Grab” (3:44), “Beware The Hunter” (4:25), “Light It Up” (4:00), “Gone Insane” (3:59), “Just Another Day” (3:43)
Musicians
Rob Rock - Lead Vocals
Chris Impellitteri - Guitars
James Pulli - Bass
Paul Bostaph - Drums
