Impellitteri--Crunch (2000/Victor)
Rating--9.1
Fear No Evil--RealAudio Wake Me Up
And the beat goes on. With the aptly-titled 'Crunch,' Impellitteri has released its heaviest and nastiest set of tunes yet.
The drums are faster, the riffing is no-holds-barred, and the distortion is thick, blistering, and raw. The band still manages to
imprint its patented melodic style, though, and continues to reign atop the power/melody world. Guitarist Chris Impellitteri shows
no signs of slowing or mellowing out, and remains the benchmark against which all other shredders are judged.
The fast and cutting opener "Beware of the Devil" is nonstop from the beginning, and "Turn of the Century" is ultra-tight, and
features some great and yearning Rob Rock vocals in the verse sections.
A high-flying chorus marks "Speed Demon,"
and "Slay the Dragon" has a heavy-handed chorus flow.
The riff-ripping pace of "Wake Me Up" features a host of brutal
cuts, and top spot "Fear No Evil" mixes nasty chugs, ripping notes, and a full-throttle chorus. "Wasted Earth" is yet another
heavy staple, as it drips with aggressive emotion.
Two instrumental pieces show up, as "Spanish Fire" is total fast-fretting,
and "Texas Nuclear Boogie" is a Satch-like, free-spirited romp. "Forever Yours," the lone unplugged track, is still nice and smooth.
Impellitteri continues to awe, and the blasphemy that is the U.S. music scene has never been more apparent. The fact that
this band is unknown to 95% of metal fans over here is a sad, sad fact in today's metal community.
TRACK LIST: Beware of the Devil/Turn of the Century/Speed Demon/Wake Me Up/Spanish Fire/Slay the Dragon/
Wasted Earth/Forever Yours/Texas Nuclear Boogie/Fear No Evil
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