| The
Review |
It might have taken a while for vocalist John West to
sink into Royal Hunt after DC Copper's departure, however,
West has long been established as a vocalist, singing for
Badlands, Artension, and continuing his solo career. Besides
having proved himself as a well versed vocalist before joining
'the Hunt' (and fitting in like a glove), his mark on the
world of technical metal is immeasurable, so why not record
an album or two that fully expresses personal musical endurance,
right? ***
With his latest release 'Long Time…No Sing,' West's mantra
for technical minded melodic metal is put in full force ala
late period Savatage and Fatal Force, portraying a hard edged
stance towards his melodic approach, while keeping all the
overtly progressive elements in the back of his mind, occasionally
letting them loose for a little edge here and there. Besides
singing, he also plays all the lead guitar, letting Chris
Caffery and Kevin Hampton sit in to provide the rhythmic six
string glory to the record; so again, it's purely a personal
effort. ***
Dark at times, yet always hard driving and rockin' throughout,
ditties such as "Fade," "The One That Got Away," and the acoustic
"Highway to Roppongi" heighten the record emotion amongst
the heavy hitters such as the straightforward rock of "Give
Me a Sign" and "Falling Down." Now of course we get to the
point, as usual where I discuss the ballads, and the stand
out tracks for the eased back fodder include both "Better
Believe" and the powerful "Slipping Away." ***
'Long Time…No Sing' coveys the passion that West has
always had for expressing himself musically, but this time,
it's purely personal.
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