Fozzy - Sin & Bones

Fozzy which has been around for a few years now and has consistently improved from their early days ripping out covers of classic metal tunes. The band's return this time around Sin & Bones is another metal assault but comes through a little more comfortable sounding and much less stunted as was the huge issue with the last record. This time around the band sound more like a real band and less like a side project. The albums opening intro of "Spider In My Mouth" is excellent but the song overall is only OK with a decent chorus but lacking in the verses and Jericho's voice is buried in the mix.

The single titled "Sandpaper" that features lead screamer for emo-metal act Avenged Sevenfold is a major improvement from the opening cut. The song is mid-paced almost radio friendly hard rock. I'm sure Octane will spin it but I don't see more mainstream radio stations like CFOX and such jumping on it unless the song takes off on satellite broadcasted stations and those inclined to spin this on the internet stations. The thrashing introduction of "Blood Happens" easily the best of the first three tracks and Jericho actually sounds believable. The short burst death vocal elements kick the song into respectability shockingly so. I think the band plays very well The Duke is riffing his way along nicely on this album and some of the breakdowns and instrumental passages throughout the album really make the whole package better.

Frank Fontsere and his skill from the thunder throne is very good as he is able to play straight up on the power ballad "Inside My Head" and then do some pretty good bashing inside the more metal and near progressive songs elsewhere on the album. The albums title track has a little thrash metal beginning that opens into what is the bands best song and their best overall song as well. I don't know why this wasn't the first single as it is far superior to "Sandpaper" it has a nice classic metal bridge about halfway through and has tight chorus that is immediate unlike some of the other songs that don't quite connect.

The album is only ten tracks long which in most cases is a good thing because too much can make this band a tad bit hard to listen to at length. The album does repeat the power ballad formula with "A Passed Life" that surely could be used in the Undertakers career retrospective video promo upon retirement at this years Wrestlemania.  The no frills rock n' roll groove of "She's My Addiction" is akin to old school Saxon meeting Deep Purple. It's another really good song and I will for sure be listening to this track again. I honestly believe that this band is close to making a very strong album as once again they improve on many levels. Maybe some outside writers like a Marylin Manson, Rob Zombie, Desmond Child or someone of that ilk would get them over the hump.

The album plays to a close with "Storm The Beaches" running 11:34 and filling a whole bunch of the musical landscape ending the elongated track with nice ocean beach sound. I enjoyed the song very much with all the soloing and prog styled passages. The band have made a good record but it doesn't compete on the same level as new music from the metal masterclass. Testament, Anthrax, Overkill, Megadeth, HellYeah! or the newer bands like Unisonic, Thousand Foot Krutch, Kill Devil Hill or the melodic genius of Halestorm. Jericho is one helluva personality and has boatloads of charisma he's still lacking the proper amount hooks from his band to sit at the adults table so once again he's still a junior partner in the metal firm.