FROST
Raise Your Fist to Metal
Noise Records 2004
www.sevenwitches.net

Featuring: Jack Frost (Seven Witches, ex-Savatage), Gonzo Sandoval (Armored Saint), Johnny Dee (Doro), Mike Duda (W.A.S.P.), Joey Vera (Armored Saint), Billy Childs (Britny Fox), Mike Lepond (Symphony X), Harry Hess (Harem Scarem), Bobby Lucas (Exhibition), Joe Comeau (ex-Annihilator), Steve Braun (Azlan), Jack Emrick (Life After Death), and Rob Rock (ex-Impellitteri)

What's the 4-1-1?
Jack Frost, the same guy who recently released the highly acclaimed album, Passage to the Other Side with his band Seven Witches, is back with a solo album. During his long-lasting career he's made a lot of friends in the American music scene, and many of them are a part of this album.

Genre
Metal / hard rock

The Good
" Stay" starts off with a commanding opening riff. The vocals are rough, raw, and reminiscent of Dee Snider during his Widowmaker days. There are a few nu-metal elements thrown in as well. Quick driving rhythms and a hollow drum beat (think Metallica's latest) are featured on "The Chase". Jack Frost proves that he's not just a shredder, but a blues enthusiast as well. There's some eighties throwback riffing on "Brotherhood of Lies". You're sure to make comparison to early Savatage and Ronnie James Dio. The strongest track, "The Man I Am" is stripped down to a more acoustic vibe. The vocals are more melodic and complement the track well. In case you forget Frost is an ax-man, he reminds you on "Nippin' at Your Ear". The gang does a bang-up job on the Kansas classic, "Fight Fire with Fire". It's heavier, yet still tuneful.

The Bad
They don't really make it clear who's doing what (at least on the promo disc). Disc is 36 minutes long. Vocals could be stronger. Their cover of Ratt's "Lack of Communication" is a disaster. When everyone in the studio chimes in on the repetitive 'lack of...communication...lack of', it really kills it. The version just goes to show you how unique a vocalist Steven Percy is.

The Verdict
I'm really torn with this one. Jack has some great riffs, licks, and solos, plus the rhythms are really catchy. However, the vocals could be a little smoother (and on key in some instances). It still rocks if that's not important to you.

Did you know?
I’ve got nothing on this one, sorry.

Rating: out of 5

Realted Reviews:
W.A.S.P. - The Neon God: Part I
Britny Fox - Springhead Motorshark
Symphony X - The Odyssey
Harem Scarem - Overload

--George Dionne