PANDEMIC
"Angry
Sky" (dbAggressive Records; 2002)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Although PANDEMIC share most of the letters of their name with their death metal brothers-in-guitars PANDEMIA, the comparisons stop there. Unlike PandemiA, PandemiC play a modern rock sound that would fit in perfectly with the Godsmacks and Creeds out there. It's a hard guitar sound that doesn't always induce headbanging but moves along at a quick enough pace so that it doesn't ever sound too "poppy."
There are some nice headbanging moments. "Into the Sun" will get you going, as will "Last Goodbye." For the most part, the songs on "Angry Sky" are heavier than most of Creed's stuff but lighter than Godsmack. As far as songwriting is concerned, however, the band's talents lie closer to Godsmack; unlike Creed's slick commercial hit machine, Pandemic writes challenging songs with serious bite. I particularly liked track 8: "Thy Majesty."
"Angry Sky" really slows down only once and that's with track 6, "Best of Me." "Best of Me" is one of those schmaltzy ballad-type songs that works well enough and seems heartfelt but slows the record considerably about mid-way.
Pandemic: Tim Kopp - vocals, keyboards; Erik Deitz - guitars, vox, porn; Jim Sheehan - bass; Sammy T - drums.
For more information and mp3s, check out http://www.pandemicmusic.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 © 2002 by R.
Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
Revised: 09 Dec 2024 16:07:12 -0500
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