| The
Review |
Again the keyboard-meister brings a record to the masses
where, as usual, you don't really know what to expect. As
we all know, he goes all over the place, and it's for the
better, that's for sure, rather than being redundant; again
brining along his arsenal of hell raising musicians. But where
does one start when trying to describe his record, alright,
let's just say that the opening track "Czar of Steel" sounds
like a long lost track from Jeff Beck's 'There and Back' album
(and Ironically it's an album that Simon Phillips appears
on), the complete metallic thrust of what could be easily
be considered Black label society cuts like "Man With No Name"
and "The Monsoon" (I bet you will never guess who burns the
six string and even sings on these songs), or the neo-classical
approach with "Viking Massacre" (Malmsteen included) where
as usual, Sherinian and bros. Just love to play what ever
they feel at the spur of the moment. ***
But lets take a moment to look on how the ivory tickler
has been able to bring several musicians together on certain
ditties to really burn a profound melodic orgy of metallic,
chaotic, rockin', and of course, technical endurance that
only 'Blood of the Snake' can keep blood flowing to the right
"place;" you know Gene Simmons said it best when he said "You
don't play with your mind you play with your..." well I guess
I'll stop there. But continuing with catchy hooks and melodic
appeal, you have there is the sorrowful "Prelude to Battle,"
the profound power metal approach on the title track, "the
eased back "back seat" fodder with "On the Moon" (sure you
have), and the emotion laden sub blues of "Been Here Before;"
Sherinian really shows his prowess as a showman indeed, no
matter what synth/keyboard he is rockin', he really punctures
the keys with the gusto of an axeman, no doubt about that.
***
Now there is one cut on here that really stands out,
and it was best to save it for last, not to say that it was
the best, but a song that you would never expect to be covered
in the heavy fashion (well, somewhat). Yes ladies and gentlemen,
it's a cover of the Mungo Jerry jug-band oldies one-hit-wonder
staple "In the Summertime," yes I said it, it's that song.
Not done completely heavy, at first it's sounds like the original,
then Billy Idol and Slash add the 'balls" to the song, to
sum that up, you have to hear it to believe it. ***
Again Sherinian and friends have completed another record
that packs a punch on progressive rock that is often missing,
and all kidding aside, it more a metal record than anything,
nothing wrong with that of course. But in the end, 'Blood
of the Snake' has a lot of energy and explosive moments that
make the album another high staple in the world of thinking
man's rock. Amen***
Tommy "Hashman" Hash
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