HELLYEAH
"Blood for Blood" (Sony
Music; 2015)
Reviewed by Snidermann
I was listening to my Apple Music app a few days ago and the track I was listening to came to an end and ... well, anyone familiar with this type of app knows that something similar to what I was just listening to came on next.
It happened to be "Blood for Blood" from HellYeah and I have been spinning that bitch ever since. Let’s just talk about the members of this band for one second: Chad Grey on vocals (Mudvayne), Tom Maxwell on guitars, (Knives Out, Skrap and Have Mercy) and, of course, the great Vinnie Paul on sticks (Damageplan, Pantera). As you might expect from a line-up like that, his music is strong, forceful and in-your-face and the lyrics are written to be read along with and experienced the way the song was originally written. The lyrics are strong and the writing style reminds me of the late, great Neil Peart of Rush who once said, "If you like lyrics and want to experience them, study the word flow. Appreciate the words as they were written and you will enjoy the music more." (I may be paraphrasing here).
As the first song, Sangre Por Sangre ("Blood for Blood" in Spanish), this music will kick your ass from the very start of the recording and, when it is over, you will find yourself thinking "Damn, I may have to listen to that bitch a few more times.” Great metal music.
For more information, check out http://www.hellyeahrocks.com.
"Hellyeah" (Epic; 2007)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
Hellyeah is a heavy metal supergroup and the problem with some such supergroups is that you have to mesh a bunch of attitudes together and you might get a bunch of whiz and vinegar instead of great music. I’m satisfied to say that Hellyeah
have put their egos aside and ripped a hole in the globezone. Members include
Mudvayne’s Chad Grey and Greg Tribbett, Nothingface’s Tom Maxwell and Jerry Montano and
Pantera/Damageplan stick breaker Vinnie Paul. You already know that they won’t be singing lullabies to pudgy little pampered tots.
Chad Gray spews his venomous lyrics with jalapeno filled profanity and also has the benefit of having a guitar smashing brood from two different bands
creating an automatic competition. Greg Tribbett from Mudvayne and Tom Maxwell from Nothingface destroy more axes than Paul Bunyan on a rampage. Vinnie Paul clobbers his drums through the floor and Jerry Montano from Nothingface lets his bass have it by slapping it through the wall.
A few of the songs don’t stay in the trenches, such as “Star” which still rocks but it has a romantic attachment to
it. Also, the song “Thank You” is an appreciation for all those who needed to be thanked for their contributions to life. They mention Dave Williams of Drowning Pool,
among others.
While researching these guys I found that they don’t really like to call themselves a
“supergroup,” they just happen to be a bunch of guys who came together to create some brutal music. If you’re a fan of any band listed
above then avoid having these guys show up at your door to demand money for the gentlemen’s club jukebox;
spend it on this CD first.
For more information, check out http://www.hellyeahrocks.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 © 2021 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
