BLACK SHEEP
"Sacrifice"
(Rock's Cool; 1999)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Actually, I'm not sure whether this is BLACK SHEEP or BLACK SHEEP II. The front cover says, plainly enough, BLACK SHEEP. But the back cover and inside insert say BLACK SHEEP II. So who knows? Then again, what does it matter?
"Sacrifice" is a four-song collection of hard-rocking tunes that bring to mind the Ronnie James Dio days of BLACK SABBATH. Instrumentally, that is. The songs are fast and heavy with guitars that are often faster than typical Tony Iommi but not quite as rich. That's not necessarily a bad thing: the guitars and songwriting on "Sacrifice" are very accessible. It's difficult not to bang your head in unison with the music.
Vocally, "Sacrifice" is another story. Lead vocalist (and bassist/guitarist) Willie Basse sings with a capable voice that alternates between a screechy falsetto and a tolerable mid-level. Basse is at his best when he's not straining to hit those ultra-high notes; notes we could do without anyway.
But that doesn't happen often and "Sacrifice" is a pretty cool CD. Fans of classic, Sabbath-like metal will eat this up.
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Rating Guide:
A classic. This
record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it
will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the
cover makes you wanna hurl.
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Copyright © 1999 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
