Album review: APPICE – Sinister

APPICE - Sinister

SPV [Release date 27.10.17]

This is the first ever studio collaboration between the Brothers Appice.  Carmen is of course best known for his work with Vanilla Fudge and Jeff Beck.  Vinny is the younger whipper snapper who has worked most recently with rock heavyweights Last In Line but is perhaps best known for his time with Dio and Heaven and Hell.  Veterans of many a drum clinic, together they represent one helluva legacy in the drum department of rock.

“Sinister” gives them the chance to flex their respective drum muscles and whilst the drums are well up in the mix who cares when they are played (and recorded) this well?  And the guys only over-indulge themselves for one track – the instrumental  ‘Drum Wars’ – which will no doubt be the set piece of their live act.

Opening with the frenetic title track, this is heavy rock par excellence and aided and abetted by erstwhile journeymen Craig Goldy (guitar, Dio) and Tony Franklin (bass, Blue Murder).

‘Monsters And Heroes’ is their tribute to Ronnie James and features Paul Shortino on vocals whilst ‘Killing Floor’ (with Chas West on vocals doing his best Coverdale impression) thunders out of your speakers taking the bass bins with it.

Blue Murder are recalled with the rather excellent ‘Riot’ whilst there’s even  a Black Sabbath mash up reflecting Vinny’s tenure on that particular drum stool.

Other highlights include ‘In The Nite’ (featuring Bumblefoot) and ‘War Cry’ featuring Whitesnake’s Joel Hoekstra.

This is a great debut and you can’t help thinking … bring on a live gig, given the twin legacy that is almost an A-Z of heavy rock.  Nicely packaged, too, with digipak poster or double gatefold vinyl/CD.  A belated album, maybe, but well worth the wait.  ****

Review by David Randall

David Randall presents ‘Assume The Position’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio every Sunday at 22:00 GMT.


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