Album review : IMPELLITTERI – War Machine

Frontiers [Release date : 08.11.24]

Chris Impellitteri has always had something to say about the world and the way of it, illuminated by the occasional religious overtone.

This new album, his band’s 16th, is not much different. We should be glad for that. The music anchors us to solid ground.

The need for speed has never been more apparent than in the finger blurring, neoclassical opener and title track, ‘War Machine’ (which doesn’t need much explanation).

The man wields his guitar like an UZI, spitting out a blur of notes that leave no one untouched. Unsurprisingly, he leaves room in the opener for long time friend and vocalist, Rob Rock. It’s been a template for a 35 year career, and counting.

“We just played music that moved us emotionally without chasing any trends.”

‘Out Of My Mind’ … wow, real foot on the monitor, Iron Maiden styled heavy metal. Rock’s in his element, “let the music do the talking”, an appealing sentiment. A self contained portal to the past.

‘Get down on your knees’, the most memorable line from ‘Superkingdom’, is a condemnation of what they see as the real objectives of global philanthropy.
Musically, the song can take the weight. It’s a thudding, pounding, carefully concocted heavy metal triumph.

Impellitteri’s springloaded guitar gives some old style heavy metal thrust to ‘Wrathchild’, with “new” drummer, Paul (Testament/ Slayer) Bostaph’s taut, tense, and remarkably lean drumwork, allied to James Pulli’s immoveable bassline, providing the sturdy foundation that Rock’s towering vocals demand.

Songs with titles like ‘What Lies Beneath’, ‘Hell on Earth’ and ‘Gone Insane’ could only be Heavy Metal.

Combining slick gearshifts with pedal to the metal thrust, each one twists and turns before straightening out in a relentless rush for the finishing line.

Mike Plotnikof and Jacob Hansen deliver a precision engineered production job, you can hear every note. A considerable feat. ****

Review by Brian McGowan

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)