Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Fozzy - All That Remains 2005 Ash Records --EC

Track Listing1. Nameless Faceless 2. Enemy 3. Wanderlust 4. All That Remains 5. The Test 6. It's A Lie 7. Daze Of The Week 8. The Way I Am 9. Lazarus 10. Born Of Anger

Just call me a Rich Ward groupie. I'll admit it, go ahead, poke fun all you want. Rich Ward's driving guitar sounds have ruled my playing lists for years. From his jaw dropping escapades with the mighty Stuck Mojo, I do mean MIGHTY by the way, to his antics with Sick Speed and cover band Fozzy. With two years of cover tunes under their wing, Fozzy and Ward return to graceland with their very first all original album. Gone are the wigs, stage names, and silly Spinal Tap back story. Now we get to hear the genuine goods, the real stuff, the talent and craftsmanship that this band really possesses. Move over humor, make way for entertainment.

I've always enjoyed the writing style of Rich Ward. Folks can complain about his hip-hop tendencies or the lack of true metal passion, but Ward is about classic rock and traditional metal, the bands like Boston, Aerosmith, and Bad Company. I think "All That Remains" displays that side of him better than all of his previous work. With this incredible new fixture Fozzy move into their own real world, a reality that focuses on driving songs that display emotion and character, cuts that really sway with mood and attention to detail. This is just a fantastic melodic dose of hard classic rock with a mix of modern overtones to keep it refreshing and new.

With the past two records lead singer and WWE professional wrestler Chris Jericho has struggled somewhat. He has never really proven he has a strong voice. With years of live playing and recording under his belt I think time has really had a positive effect. Jericho really kicks it up a notch, delivering his best work to date and one that will hopefully put him on the metal map and increase his chances of becoming...trendy.

With that being said, let's look at some individual songs starting with my favorite of the group, "Enemy". This track has been chosen as the album's single and it is really a good radio cut. The song is mid-paced with a huge chorus that builds with melody and hooks. The band take advantage of today's modern rock sounds from the likes of Alter Bridge and 3 Doors Down, but the song isn't bogged down with a lack of power. This is a super charged rock frenzy sure to please modern commercial and classic rock fans. The same can be said for "The Way I Am" and "All That Remains" with the latter sounding a bit like Zak/Ozzy glory days. Speaking of Zak Wylde, he stops by for a guest lead on "Wanderlust", a Krokus styled number that really moves and swings with a bit of a blues vibe. Other guests include Marty Friedman (Megadeth), Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge), Mark Tremont (Alter Bridge), and rapper Bonecrusher. Old fans of Ward will find the Sick Speed classic "The Test" on here, a little reworked to fit Jericho's range. Other choice cuts include the hip-hop signature "It's A Lie" and the aggressive number "Born Of Anger".


--EC 02.18.05




Fozzy - All That Remains 2005 Ash Records --Sarah

Track Listing1. Nameless Faceless 2. Enemy 3. Wanderlust 4. All That Remains 5. The Test 6. It's A Lie 7. Daze Of The Week 8. The Way I Am 9. Lazarus 10. Born Of Anger

Through the years since their first album, Fozzy has grown as a band and as musicians and “All that Remains” is my favorite Fozzy album. “Fozzy” and “Happenstance” were both great albums, and I enjoy listening to them, but when I heard that “All that Remains” was due out, I was overjoyed and couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. The proof is in the album. With this album, the storyline is completely gone and they are Fozzy: These guys are Huge Rockstars! “ATR” is Fozzy’s third album and I believe this is their strongest to date. Chris Jericho does have a great voice and the songs fit him well. The music has influences from rock and modern metal which makes it more aggressive than before. The music on “ATR” is outstanding, with the members of the band along with special guests Bone Crusher, Zakk Wylde, Myles Kennedy, Mark Tremonti just to name a few create the right atmosphere for this album. “ATR” is more than an average metal album. It introduces us to the Fozzy that we were all hoping would come out with heavy guitars and some killer vocals by our man Chris Jericho. Rich Ward provides you with in your face guitar that accentuates the vocals. The hooks that are in these songs are unforgettable, you can’t not hear them. Jericho layers the harmony creating the unmistakable vocals hooks. Frank Fontsere’s work on the drums is not to go unnoticed. Without his drum skills this would possibly be a lost album. It has every aspect of metal you could as for. The songwriting on this album is second to none. I have heard great metal before; this goes on my list of great metal that people are missing. This album isn’t a disappointment. It is strong, definitely a group effort, and one that sticks with you.


--Sarah 02.18.05