Only A Suggestion
TeePee
Hermano is yet another side-project of former Kyuss vocalist John Garcia. The brainchild of Dandy Brown (bass/organ), who also produced the disc, Hermano also features drummer Steve Earle (Afghan Whigs) and guitarists Mike Callahan and David Angstrom. This is one of the better releases from TeePee. Great '70s influenced metal grooves and killer guitar riffs surround this disc giving it that classic rock/metal feel. The label considers this as a full-length CD, although it only contains 8 (illiterately titled) songs with a total time of only 28 minutes. This doesn't really give the buyer their money's worth (especially if the store charges full price) but songs like "Senor Moreno's Plan," with it's groove-laden guitar riff, and "Nicks Yea," with it's plagiarized Creem riff, make this CD worth the price of admission. BN
DEAD SOUL TRIBE
Dead Soul Tribe
InsideOut
Here's another cool band from InsideOut music. Dead Soul Tribe combine the best of power and progressive metal on this 13 track disc. Solid musicianship and a great sense of melody, as well as a masterful production, make this CD one for the Christmas list. What sets this band apart from most other progressive rock/metal bands on InsideOut (and other prog labels like Magna Carta) is the fact they don't sound so damn sterile. The rich, thick guitar tones and dark, emotionally powerful vocals, sounding similar to Tool's Maynard Keenen at times, separate this band from the pack. In fact, there are several elements on this CD that would certainly appease the modern metal fan. And the bonus is the fact that Dead Soul Tribe are incredibly talented! Something obviously overlooked by many of the new-school American metal bands. The CD gets a bit mundane at times and the songs aren't all that memorable, but there are plenty of intriguing dynamics and melodies that keep the listener interested. A well produced record for the progressive metal fan looking for a boost in power and attitude. BN
Shockwaves CD REVIEWS ISSUE 8 Page 13