Impellitteri--Eye of the Hurricane (1997/Dream Catcher)
Rating--9.4
Eye of the Hurricane--RealAudio Bleed in Silence--RealAudio
More technical music and lyrical bliss, as everything just seems to fit for this band. Sort of the Iced Earth
of melodic power chops...
This version is a 2-CD set, with the second disc being dubbed as the 'Victim of the System' EP. However,
the tracklist is different from the original 'VOTS,' so I'm not sure what the marketing deal is here. (In fact, only two songs are
the same as on the original, 1993 'VOTS' EP.)
In any case, this
review makes an assumption that any copy that is bought will have both CD's. If you end up with a version in front of you with
only the main CD, then consider the rating a 9.3. You still can't beat it with a stick, though.
The ripping title track lets you know the band is as fluid and solid as ever, and the slashing "Shed Your Blood" actually picks
the pace up a bit. "Fuel For the Fire" pounds with heavy and bruising chops, and the nasty-ass churn of "Bleed in Silence"
is one of the band's heavier pre-'Crunch' catalog inserts.
Superior vocal work only makes the tracks "Master of Disguise" and "Kingdom
Fighter" stronger, as Rob Rock may be getting better and more range-blessed with age. "Everything Is You" is yet another good and chunky
offering, though the chorus may come across as a bit light in overall comparison.
The second CD contains three tracks
from the '94 release 'Answer to the Master': "Warrior," "Hold the Line," and the spectacular "Fly Away". "Victim of the System," the
song, is fast and furious and closes out the brief addition.
HOT CHOPS: The roll and churn of "Bleed in Silence," and the damn chilling beginning vocals: "Walking the streets for a
savior...." ----- Talk about nasty groove and power!
TRACK LIST: Eye of the Hurricane/Shed Your Blood/Fuel For the Fire/Race Into the Light/Bleed in Silence/Master of Disguise/
On and On/Everything Is You/Kingdom Fighter/Halloween/Paradise
Disc Two: Warrior/Fly Away/Glory/Hold the Line/Victim of the System
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