Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Widowmaker - Blood and Bullets - reviewed by: Nailer

Track Listing 1. Emaheevul 2. The Widowmaker 3. Evil 4. The Lonely Ones 5. Reason To Kill 6. Snot Nose Kid 7. Blood and Bullets (Pissin' Against the Wind) 8. Gone Bad 9. Blue For You 10. You're a Heartbreaker 11. Calling For You 12. We Are The Dead

So, what happened to Dee Snider after Twisted Sister broke up? Some of you may know from VH1 specials that he fell on hard times, did some radio work and even put together a horror movie. It's not always noted that he formed another band from the ashes of TS called Widowmaker, and released 2 cds. I was lucky to get my hands on their 1992 release "Blood and Bullets" which was put out during a time when the industry was getting bonars for the grunge sound.

What a shame this disc didn't catch on! This is one of the better late-80's style cds put out during a time when a lot of crap was put out. You get your faster songs, your slower songs, your power ballads and a couple boring songs. Most of the songs have a Skid Row feel to them and Dee's vocals are well-suited to the blue-rock tone throughout.

"Emaheeval" (Am I Evil) starts out the cd in full balls-out mode. Solid and fast-paced, it reminds me of one of the quicker numbers from the self-titled Coverdale/Page cd. "The Widowmaker" is a great slow-paced signature song with a chorus that will pull you in. Howlin' Wolf's "Evil" is full of smoke and attitude. "Snot Nose Kid" could've fit on any Skid Row disc. "Blood and Bullets" is a solid, fast rocker that should turn the heads of all your redneck friends and make them say "That fucker rocks! What the fuck is that?". "Blue For You", falters a bit, maybe cause White boys just don't have the deep, B.B. King soul for traditional blues, but Dee does his best (haha). The better track is the quintesential power ballad "Calling For You".

Also of note, is guitarist Al Pitrelli whom some of you may know also worked with Savatage and Alice Cooper. Can't say anything bad about his guitar work.

There's nothing innovative here and most of the songs are verse-chorus-verse, but it's very anthemic and catchy. So, if you dig straight-up 80's rock and see this one in a bargain bin or at your used record store, pick it up and you should be "dee-lighted".

-- Nailer 05.16.03