Containing a mix of seasoned players, some of whom are fairly well known in the hard rock / metal circles (guitarist Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal from Guns N’ Roses / Sons of Apollo, vocalist Jeff Scott Soto courtesy of his time in Yngwie Malmsteen / Sons of Apollo as well), Art of Anarchy chooses to march on a path all their own for Let There Be Anarchy. Contemporary in feel, the dynamic twists between heaviness to darkness, all thrown into a melodic, powerful sound should intrigue most listeners who seek out something a little different from expectations.
Boldly “Die Hard” starts the proceedings in epic fashion – an almost eight-minute track containing a plethora of textures, occasionally veering into extreme meets theatrical angles across the arrangement where everything from piano to crunchy, heads down metal riffs command the stage while Jeff’s soulful, multi-octave abilities shine. The guitar work of fellow guitarist Jon Votta next to Ron Thal galvanizes these songs with a modern, low-tuned girth next to some spacious clean measures – check out the eerie “Echo Your Madness” or alternative / progressive aspects to “Rivals” for some of their best rhythms as well as supplementary lines that mesmerize as solid earworms, Vince Votta’s additional propulsive drums kicking things up a notch for the latter. Government warnings in narrative form is the starting point for “Vilified”, a semi-ballad that is an early highlight featuring creative circular guitar parts, momentum building drum work, as well as a killer dazzling lead break finish. Next to the metal and groove hard rock components, there is one ear sitting into the contemporary approach on specific choruses or natural arena-level hooks that make “Dying Days” or “Disarray” appealing to those who love everybody from Tool to Sevendust, just a bit more palatable for the average listener to grasp onto.
Previous records offered Scott Weiland and Scott Stapp as vocalists – well with Jeff Scott Soto, this scribe believes that Art of Anarchy has taken the right step forward to keep momentum in the upward trajectory for Let There Be Anarchy. Maybe the third time will be the charm for this supergroup.