FRANKENSHRED
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
First and foremost, I owe the personnel of Frankenshred a big apology. They originally sent this CD to RoughEdge.com over a year ago and I'm just now getting around to reviewing it. Which is terrible for a number of reasons: 1) I've listened to it often and have been stunned at how much I like it every time and 2) I should have told the world about them earlier.
Frankenshred's moniker pretty much sums up the band. This is dark, heavy, instrumental metal loaded with razor-sharp guitar solos, pounding drums and throbbing, gristly bass. There's no need for a vocalist here: with Frankenshred, the instruments tell the story. And not just with guitar. Track 5, "World War's Revenge" proves that.
We're not talking tiny, three-minute speed ditties here either. "Evil Shred" begins with the title trilogy, three tracks with an average running time of over seven minutes each. And the music, and the shredding, never let up.
Another thing that Frankenshred does well is capture an atmosphere. With a band like "Frankenshred" and songs like "Evil Shred," "Haunted Mansion," and "Better Shred Than Dead," Frankenshred not only play wildly heavy music, they give it a signature that draws the listener further into the sound. This is the music you'd hear late at night in the graveyard where Jimi Hendrix and Randy Rhoads are buried.
If you're into guitar instrumental, you'll want to add Frankenshred to your collection. Like now.
Frankenshred is: Dr. Frankenshred - guitar; World War Spencer - bass; Kelly Knight - drums.
For more information check out http://www.frankenshred.com or http://www.guitar9.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 © 2001 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 26 Feb 2024 13:06:29 -0500.
