|
|
|
|
|
|
FOZZY
"Boombox"
(Fozzy; 2022)
Reviewed by Snidermann
I first reviewed Chris Jericho's Fozzy in 2002. My son and I were big WWE (formerly WWF) fans and Chris Jericho, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Undertaker (among others) were popular at the time. I heard Chris Jericho was going to form a band with people from Stuck Mojo and I thought,. well why not?
You can probably tell from the reviews on this page how I wound up feeling about this band. And, after twenty years, Jericho's voice, songwriting ability and the band itself have just gotten better, stronger and a richer phenomenon that makes Fozzy simply one of today’s most prolific metal/rock bands.
Fozzy has gone through some lineup changes over the years, but the core members of Rich Ward and Chris Jericho has remained the same and, again, is stronger for it. Like most of Fozzy's music, "Boombox" is always fresh (even when doing a cover song), lots of fun and full of life. The cover I mentioned here is of Frankie Goes To Hollywood's 1985 hit "Relax." I never really liked that song until I heard Fozzy’s rendition.
Check out Fozzy when you see they're on tour. When I first saw them, 2002, I sure wasn't!
For more information, check out http://www.fozzyrock.com.
"Judas"
(Fozzy; 2017)
Reviewed by Snidermann
R. Scott Bolton and I saw Zeke, Corrosion of Conformity and Motorhead one evening at the Wiltern in Los Angeles and, in the opening slot, was Fozzy with WWE (or WWF, World Wrestling Federation or World Wrestling Entertainment) star Chris Jericho. From what I can remember of that night, it kicked ass. Not only was I was interested in pro-wrestler Chris Jericho as a metal singer, I was thrilled to find out his band put out some killer music.
Well, that was the year 2000 and I have been a fan ever since. With "Judas," nothing has changed musically. Chris Jericho and his band are still playing, recording and releasing some really kick ass metal. This is one really talented band and you can catch some of their live performances over at YouTube. Better yet, buy a CD or download it digitally. You will not be disappointed.
It's obvious that Jericho was put on this earth to perform live. If he was around 200 years ago, Jericho would be a traveling bard or a strong man in a traveling show. Luckily for us, he's here now, and still recording and releasing great albums like "Judas" with no end in sight.
Chris Jericho and Fozzy do what they do best: creating great music with killer charisma. Highly recommended.
For more information, check out http://www.fozzyrock.com.
"Chasing the
Grail"
(Riot! Entertainment; 2010)
Reviewed by Snidermann
I can't believe that I first reviewed Fozzy ten years ago! Then, Chris Jericho was just a professional wrestler -- now he is a professional wrestler and a rock star.
Chris Jericho has matured both as a singer and as a songwriter and "Chasing The Grail" is not only the best Fozzy recording to date, it may be one of the best rock recordings of the year. Rock music comes and goes and, as a music reviewer, I hear a lot of it, however "Chasing the Grail" has given me a new look on the music that I love and that is priceless. The songs are thought-provoking, full of clever lyrics and music that ranks right up there with the best in the business.
Chris Jericho may have two jobs and, if being a professional wrestler gives him the opportunity to make great music, I say fight on and rock on!!
For more information, check out http://www.fozzyrock.com.
"All That Remains"
(Deep Distribution; 2005)
Reviewed by Snidermann
Chris Jericho is a professional wrestler. He gets paid to fight in staged (fake?) matches that have already been decided before the match even beings. I equate it to the modern day version of the melodrama play era of the early 20th century. You got your villains and you got your heroes they fight over the damsel. Sometimes the hero wins, sometimes the villain wins. I am okay with all that, entertainment comes in all shapes and sizes.
Sorry, if I got a bit sidetracked there. Anyway, Chris Jericho performs both in the pro-wrestling arena and the rock'n'roll arena. His band is called Fozzy (damn, that got some time to get to my point). "All That Remains" is the release I am reviewing and it came out in 2005. This was their third recording and, let me tell you, after listening to the band's previous recordings, they have progressed into one quality rock outfit.
R. Scott and I saw Fozzy when they opened for Corrosion of Conformity and Motorhead in Los Angeles back in 2005. Needless to say, it was simply one of the best overall rock shows I have ever seen. At the beginning of the show, people knew Jericho as a pro wrestler; however, if they were paying attention, they left the show knowing that Chris Jericho is really a rock talent that has a side gig beating people up.
Fozzy cut their debut release in 2000 doing a lot of cover tunes, just to get their product out there, and they have been going strong every since. The band's progression, not only musically, but also in their songwriting, has gotten stronger, tighter and, frankly, just better.
There is a song here featuring Marty Friedman, who played guitar in Megadeth for about a decade. I was researching Marty and a cool story came up: When he was fourteen, he went to see a Kiss concert and, because of them, he taught himself to play the guitar. There is also a cut here called "Wanderlust" featuring Zakk Wylde and that alone makes this recording just that much cooler.
Fozzy's "All That Remains" is simply one cool release that is well worth the time.
For more information, check out http://www.fozzyrock.com.
"Happenstance"
(Megaforce; 2002)
Reviewed by Snidermann
Let's dispense with the fiction concerning Fozzy. If you want to know the fantasy, check out my prior review (below). Fozzy is, in fact, professional wrestler Chris Jericho (known here as Mongoose McQueen). Surprisingly, Jericho is a killer metal vocalist and, when combined with the rest of the band (consisting mostly of former members of Stuck Mojo), Fozzy is a surprisingly ... no, make that stunningly ... effective metal force.
This CD, "Happenstance," simply kicks metal fucking ass. Not only are Fozzy possibly the best metal cover band of all time, but this CD made my "Best of" list for 2002.
The cover tunes here are impressive, both vocally and musically, without a slouch in the bunch at all. Those songs are covers of Judas Priest ("Freewheel Burning), Black Sabbath ("The Mob Rules"), Scorpions ("Big City Nights), Accept ("Balls to the Wall") and Iron Maiden ("Where Eagles Dare").
The music virtually explodes from the CD with an intensity that, in my opinion, is not in enough of today's metal. Jericho (or McQueen) belts out tune after tune. At first, the vocals are nothing special but, as the CD picks up speed, they simply blew me the fuck away. This cat can wail with the very best of them. I could not believe this was the voice of a professional wrestler.
The difference between this CD and the previous one is that "Happenstance" contains some original material. The original music here is outstanding ... completely in tune with the classic metal covered ... and with the best metal presentation I have heard in quite some time.
This CD must be experienced to be truly appreciated. They may think of themselves as a fake band but, as far as I'm concerned, Fozzy is the real thing.
Fozzy: Moongoose McQueen - legendary vocalizing and socializing; Duke LaRue - guitar heroics, backing vocals; KK LaFlame - Groove Master, backing vocals; The Kidd - guitar, Thunderfire; Claude "Watty" Watson - bass guitar wizardry. Special guest: Lord Edgar Bayden Powell - guitar axcalibur and chainmail. Keyboards by Scott Banks and Duke LaRue.
For more information, check out http://www.fozzyrock.com.
"Fozzy"
(Megaforce; 2000)
Reviewed by Snidermann
The cover story here is that Fozzy, an American heavy metal band, is stuck in a no win contract with a ruthless Japanese record company. After writing some of the greatest heavy metal songs (which were taken by other bands who generated millions of dollars from the tunes) Fozzy finally broke their Japanese deal and have migrated back to the United States where - finally - their long-awaited CD is finally released.
Remember - that's the cover story.
The real story is that Fozzy is about as real a heavy metal band as Spinal Tap. Actually made up of pro-wrestler Chris Jericho and members of Stuck Mojo, Fozzy is a collection of heavy metal covers which are very well done and rock pretty much like the originals with Fozzy's unique style and flair. Some of the songs included herein are: "Stand Up and Shout" "Stay Hungry" "The Prisoner" "Over the Mountain," and many more.
Amazingly, Jericho and company rock pretty well, although they never stray too far from the original material. Fozzy is no slouch when it comes to the musical aspect: Jericho's vocals are right there and the music is precise and thundering!
The story in the liner notes might be made up, but the music is for real. As far as cover albums go, this one rocks hard! If Chris Jericho ever decides to quite professional wrestling, he has a bright future as a heavy metal vocalist!
Fozzy is: Duke La Rue - lead/rhythm guitar, vocals; Shawn "Sports" Pop - bass guitar; KK LaFlame - drums; The Kidd - guitars and, last but not least, Mongoose McQueen (Jericho).
For more information, please visit http://www.fozzyrock.com.
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.
Copyright © 2022 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
