So here we are with Joe Stump’s Tower of Babel. Boy that was a mouthful, huh? Well the new album Days Of Thunder is 100% USDA prime kickass metal, like Goose’s wife tells Maverick in the classic that is Top Gun. For those not in the know he’s a guitar virtuoso in the Yngwie Malmsteen/ Ritchie Blackmore mold, and this is a tour de force for those that love that style in a more direct, compact context.
As soon as I hit play I felt like I was in a movie, one where the songs just overpowered everything, ya know? Great songs, kickass leads, and powerful vocals are on tap for this rock patron and that’s just the first course. From the jump, “Rules of Silence ” and the title track will mess you up quick two-time. But my favorite was/is “Blind Are Your Eyes”. Not saying it’s a rip-off or anything, but the Whitesnake vibes were strong with this one.
Vocalist Jo Amore kills it like he has done for years, Mark Cross (drums, backing vocals), Mistheria (keyboards), Nic Angileri (bass), and Joe Stump (Guitars, DUH!) come together like Xerxes’ army, particularly on “Alone In the Desert”. This one just hits me on so many levels.
If that ain’t enough we’ve got the triple threat of “In the Heat of the Night”, “Sacrifice”, and the epic “Trust Me” which clocks in at 7:22. Oh, sign me the hell up for that one! Goddamn, I love tunes that can build up to a great conclusion, as this one does.
And then there’s closer “The Princess” which is like a full-on ride ’round the Indy 500 track before the race. With this one the band shifts into fifth gear and races home. At the end of the day? This is a great album, and one you need to get in you fast!
Standout Tracks: “Trust Me”, “Blind Are Your Eyes”, “Alone In the Desert”.