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Review |
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Fozzy formed back in 1999 and have since produced
4 albums but now, they bring us this offering Chasing
the Grail. Fozzy are not unknown for their heavy
sound but I was not expecting this one bit. Yes
they stray away from the 'purest' elements of heavy
metal sometimes but at the same time retain enough
to make it work.
The opening track Under Blackened Skies is a
promising opener. Heavy, hard hitting and yet
wonderfully rhythmic. Although I'm not sure if
it's just because I've been listening to a lot
of albums that have intros or whether this is
actually a valid thing to say but I found the
opening of the track and therefore the album a
total shock. A good shock, but a shock nevertheless.
The first single, Martyr No More, is incredibly
catchy. The beat is easy to pick up and is on
the whole a perfect choice as a first single as
it's heavy beat and catchy chorus will catch the
attention of anyone who isn't already a Fozzy
fan.
Grail, although it isn't my favourite song on
the album is well worth a mention. It's structured
on a level that I probably would never have expected
from Jericho and the boys. Even the vocals feel
more raw and the drums pound in your face, and
I know this sounds strange, in a way that you
could call polite. They're there but they don't
dominate the song as they do in some of the other
songs.
I almost didn't mention the next song Broken
Soul. It's not what I would personally want on
this album. It's a damn good song....if you like
Nickelback. Okay, maybe that was harsh but it
doesn't fit with the feel of the rest of the album.
It feels too manufactured, as if it was written
to be popular – not written for the album.
The next song worth commenting on is God Pounds
his Nails. It's opener is damn catchy and I found
(and still find) myself bopping my head along
to it. Thankfully the head bopping remained for
the whole of the song and once i'd heard it a
couple of times I was singing along to it too.
I can't wait to see this song live and if you
buy this album, which you should, I know you won't
be able to wait either.
Paraskavedekatriaphobia (Friday the 13th) is
another little sunrise on this album. The drums
are almost touching on the pounding of black or
death metal whilst the rest remains crucially
heavy metal. Creating a sound heavier than I would
expect but I like it. It's good stuff. For those
who haven't guessed Paraskavedekatriaphobia is
the fear of Friday the 13th.
Now, before reviewing this I had heard tales
of an almost 14 minute long, Rob Zombie style
opened, progressive song at the end of this album.
Oh my god. There it is. Wormwood. In my opinion,
if you're going to listen to one sing listen to
this. It is absolutely beautifully crafted, well
styled and showcases what Fozzy can really do
when they set their minds to it. It's far more
complex than anything else on Chasing the Grail
and it comes without sacrificing the sound of
the album, it fits in perfectly with other more
mainstream songs like Martyr No More or God Pounds
his Nails. Jericho's voice is more or less untouched,
the raw sound really adds texture to this song
and the way he varies it's sound between pure
singing and gruff grunting really keeps the attention
which is vital when the song is almost a quarter
of an hour long!
Overall the album is really an opus of what Fozzy
can do....and in the case of Broken Soul what
they shouldn't. They can do it, don't get me wrong
it's just...no. If you like Fozzy you'll love
this, if you don't know who they are you should
buy it. If you hate them listen to Wormwood it
might just change your mind.
5/5
Review by Lauren Dauny |
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| Band
Members |
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Chris Jericho
Rich Ward
Frank Fontsere
Sean B. Delson
Mike Martin |
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| Track
Listing |
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1. Under Blackened Skies
2. Martyr No More
3. Grail
4. Broken Soul
5. Let The Madness Begin
6. Pray For Blood
7. New Days Dawn
8. God Pounds His Nails
9. Watch Me Shine
10. Paraskavedekatriaphobia (Friday the 13th)
11. Revival
12. Wormwood |
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| Band
Related Links |
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| Review
Score Code |
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- Top Cheese
- Brilliant
- Pretty damn good
- Ok I guess
-
What Was That? |
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