Search - Frost :: Raise Your Fist to Metal

It's a toss up

George Dionne | Cape Cod, MA | 05/22/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"What's good about it?"Stay" starts off with a commanding opening riff. The vocals are rough, raw, and reminiscent of Dee Snider during his Widowmaker days. There are a few nu-metal elements thrown in as well. Quick driving rhythms and a hollow drumbeat (think Metallica's latest) are featured on "The Chase." Jack Frost proves that he's not just a shredder, but a blues enthusiast as well. There's some eighties throwback riffing on "Brotherhood of Lies." You're sure to make comparison to early Savatage and Ronnie James Dio. The strongest track, "The Man I Am" is stripped down to a more acoustic vibe. The vocals are more melodic and compliment the track well. In case you forget, Frost is an ax-man, he reminds you on "Nippin' at Your Ear." The gang does a bang-up job on the Kansas classic, "Fight Fire with Fire." It's heavier, yet still tuneful. Anything bad?They don't really make it clear who's doing what (at least on the promo disc). Disc is 36-minutes long. Vocals could be stronger. Their cover of Ratt's "Lack of Communication" is a disaster. When everyone in the studio chimes in on the repetitive 'lack of...communication...lack of,' it really kills it. The version just goes to show you how unique a vocalist Stephen Pearcy is. Bottom Line I'm really torn with this one. Jack has some great riffs, licks, and solos, plus the rhythms are really catchy. However, the vocals could be a little smoother (and on key in some instances). It still rocks if that's not important to you."