Rough Edge: Herod CD Reviews

HEROD

"Rich Man's War, Poor Man's Fight" (Lifeforce Records; 2006)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

Buffalo NY quintet Herod plays its brand of power metal with a decisively American tone on this 10-track affair.

Reaching out with melodic vocals galore, there's a very 1982 vibe to tracks like "Grand Design" that is undeniably simple yet completely over the top, while the ballad "Forever" goes for the flicking of the Bics from the onset with an acoustic passage before blowing you away with a bombastic assault that somehow patches Twisted Sister, Zebra, and Dio together.

Without a shred of cheese to be found yet stocked with shredding guitar solos, "Rich Man's War, Poor Man's Fight" is a metal album that brings metal's glory days back to the forefront.

Herod: Mike "Union" Jeffers - drums; Jason Russo- vocals; Jesse Benker - lead guitar; Greg DiPasquale - lead guitar; Matt Backlas - bass.

For more information, check out http://www.herod.cc.

"For Whom the Gods Would Destroy" (Lifeforce Records; 2004)

Reviewed by Snidermann

Buffalo-based Herod is one hard driving, motivated and highly talented band and I identified with their sound right off the bat.

Herod utilizes two guitars so well together that it strongly reminds me of Judas Priest's Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing -- and that ain't small potatoes.

The band is also very well-rounded, and have all the ingredients to make a splash in the metal world. "For Whom The Gods Would Destroy" is not only explosive and extraordinary, but vocalist Judah Nero uses a wide range of emotions to get his point across. His powerful voice can go from melodic to volatile in a heartbeat and is a welcome change from the usual stuff I get to review where all the singer can do is scream.

A couple of slower songs tend to bog down the overall CD a bit but, when Herod rocks hard, they excel.

Herod: Bryce March - guitar; Jeremy Partlow - bass; Mike Jeffers - drums; Judah Nero - vocals; Jesse Benker - guitar.

For more information, check out http://www.herod.cc.

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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