Worth mentioning is The Showdown's take on Kansas' "Carry on Wayward Son," which has been 'metallized' though a lot of the feeling from the original is lacking. As with much of this album, which is at times listenable and certainly at no point flat out terrible, the song just seems a bit forced. The weakest link may very well be vocalist David Bunton who conjures equal parts Chad Kroeger, James Hetfield, and Jon Bon Jovi along with an almost Pop-Punk sensibility at times.

" is as The Black Album was to Ride The Lightning" says the band's website and, I assume, press release. Well, maybe their debut would be worth tracking down, then. Here's an actual selling point I never thought I'd read: "six of the twelve tracks even have cowbell" but they go on to say that "every song has an epic guitar solo!" Epic, I don't know about, though the guitar work -- and cowbell -- is definitely there. The title track actually sounds like late-90s Metallica crashed headlong into mid 90s Corrosion of Conformity and is easily the best track offered.

Overall the Zakk Wylde-isms (i.e. pinch harmonics) are best left to the master himself, or even for an occasional borrow (see Gojira), but not the way these Tennesseeans have misappropriated it for a romp through radio safe, Christian Hard Rock that often masquerades as Metal. If a Southern Rock tinged Nickelback with more overt Metal influences and misplaced double bass drumming sounds like your cup of tea, give this slightly formulaic offering a shot. Otherwise you may be better served seeking out the latest from Alabama Thunderpussy....

written by Tony Belcher

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