Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Well, it only took me one listen to this badboy before I jumped in my speed wagon and burned rubber to my local Best Buy. I threw my cash on the table and walked out with one of the finest hard rock releases of recent memory in Brand New Sin. Somehow I've missed this band the first time through. The group released their self-titled debut a few years back and honestly I remember seeing it on the shelves but just simply passed by thinking it was nu-metal or rap-core. I couldn't have been further from the truth.

New York's Brand New Sin are simply a wonderful injection into today's hard rock scene with new releae "Recipe For Disaster", competing on a top tier level with the likes of Corrosion Of Conformity, Motorhead, and Black Label Society. The band have picked up that style that seems to lean more towards a biker or bar band mentality, with the good time licks and party chops, all held together by the most wicked of Southern Rock roots. At times these beer slinging sluggers sound like a heavier, loose and lethal Lynyrd Skynyrd. Other times they pick up the metallic, groove oriented pulse of Black Label Society or even Pride & Glory. Either way this is just a frolic in the park, a late night hellraiser that just entertains from start to finish.

Vocalist Joe Alter comes across similar to the likes of Skynyrd front man Johnny Van-Zant, with a bit more grit and aggression in his delivery. His voice can carry the weepy ballads ("Once In A Lifetime"), or he can muster up a dragstrip howl on the faster numbers ("Freight Train", "Black And Blue"). Strong cuts like saloon opener "Arrived" and "Dead Man Walking" show off the band's rapid fire guitar sound courtesy of slingers Kris Wiechmann and Kenny Dunham. The two combine on a rich, traditional sound, complete with blazing leads and fast riffs. The songwriting for this effort seems to be a bit dismal and cloudy, with most cuts penned around personal loss or life struggles, but at the same time their is something refreshing and rather inspirational about the band's "press on at all costs" persona, giving each song hope and meaning.

This certainly isn't a doomy record, but it could appeal to those stoner rock fans out there simply because of it's rock and roll nature. You aren't going to find any similarities to Sabbath or St. Vitus here, with Brand New Sin being more favorable to those of you who dig COC, Down, Cradle To The Grave, and even Omegalord or Supervillain. This is a fantastic release and one that has already landed the group on a tour with Pepper and company. I wish the album had a bit more staying power, but for the most part this is just a fun record that can be played in any type of mood. A "Recipe For Disaster" may just turn into the proverbial "Recipe For Success".

--EC 06.22.05