Review Summary: A solid effort from a band finally emerging as a force to be reckoned with. A few small let downs keep this from being their best album.
(Please note that every review of a song in this piece of writing is based on my own personal opinion. Obviously our opinions will differ at some point, but please feel free to post your own in the comments. Thanks, and enjoy.)
So, I'm in my flat in a small, dire Scotland town, and I'm waiting for an Amazon delivery. I've just ordered my new album the day before, and I'm willing it to arrive as fast as possible. At about 11:55, I decide that I can chance a trip to the shop for rolling papers. On my way out, just as soon as I spark another cigarette, I notice a parcel delivery van turn onto my street. After an uncontrollable tirade of muttered swearwords, I put out my smoke, walk over to him and collect my parcel.
All thoughts of adventures to the shops go straight out of the window as I go into my flat and put on Fozzy's sixth studio album, "Do You Wanna Start A War". full volume. The first song is the title track of the album, and it's fantastic. A great harmony on the last recital of the chorus, some good drumwork and guitar, and some of the best lyricism Fozzy have ever shown make this song one to remember. The band are currently shooting a video for it, so I'd expect it see this song on a music channel soon. 8.5 out of 10.
The second song on this record is "Bad Tattoo", a somewhat disappointing song after listening to the previous. The structure and lyricism are a little awkward, making the song suffer a little. The guitar is good, and the drums are semi-decent. Vocally, I wasn't blown away. I'd say this is probably one of the few misses on this album. 5 out of 10.
We're up to three and we get to the first single from the album, "Lights Go Out", released a few months ago in April. The guitar and bass boil up into a catchy riff, and the drums highlight the rhythm of the song, with some great (in my opinion) vocal work and decent lyrics, this song is easily one of the best on the album. 9.5 out of 10.
Now we come to "Died With You", a haunting piece of classic Fozzy work, reminiscent of 2012's "Inside My Head". With some great drum and guitar work creating a rather chilling melody with some great vocal work from Jericho. The chorus is the highlight of the sing in my opinion, actually making this one of my favourites from the album. 9 out of 10.
Up next we have "Tonite" featuring the vocal work of Michael Starr, vocalist of Steel Panther, who provides a great vocal performance with Jericho, with some great all round performances from the whole band. If the band ever release a greatest hits, I'd keep my eyes open for this song. 9 out of 10.
Brides of Fire is next, and oh boy, it's a classic Fozzy song right off the bat. Complete with fast drums, fast vocals and some nice guitar shredding with a fantastic solo near the end, as well as some heavier vocals provided by Rich Ward which fit right in. Another greatest hits contender. 9 out of 10.
Next up, "One Crazed Anarchist", a refreshing slow song after the last few faster paced works. It's a decent effort, but while I wouldn't class it as a miss, it's not gonna break any records for best selling single. Sorry guys. If there is a positive to this song, it's the guitar. It's passable. As I said, decent effort. 6 out of 10.
"Unstoppable" is the next song, and if there's a better vocalist than Christie Cook who could have combined her talents with Jericho on this song, then I don't know who they are. Fantastic all round, definitely one of the stand out tracks from this album. Make more songs like this, please. 9.5 out of 10.
Now we come to my least favourite track of the album, "Scarecrow". I feel that this song, however haunting it may sound, could have been done better. The guitar is a little awkward, the drums are par in my view, the lyricism is a little shoddy compared to the rest of the album and the growls of Rich Ward sound a little bad in this one. Sorry again, but don't look for this on any radio stations. 4 out of 10.
Now comes my favourite song on the album, "No Good Way". A genuinely fantastic song in my opinion, with a great hook, some brilliant vocal work, and some great lyrics. If you see Fozzy live this year, listen for this song, as I'm sure it'll probably be on the set list. 10 out of 10.
Now we come to a once common tradition with Fozzy, a cover song. I'd say that Fozzy's cover of Abba's "SOS" is a great piece of work, with great bass and guitar work, some good drumming and piano work, and a vocal performance by Jericho making this one of the best Fozzy cover songs out there. 8 out of 10.
At the end of the album, we come to "Witchery", a break in the typical ending of a Fozzy album of recent years, seeing as this song is a lot shorter than the album closers of the last two, "Wormwood" and "Storm The Beaches". "Witchery"
is a fairly good song, with some good bass work, a catchy riff, some fantastic drumming and a decent vocal performance by Jericho. 7 out of 10.
Overall, I'd say this album is the second best work Fozzy have ever done after "Sin and Bones", and that if the band wants to become more popular, I would strongly consider building on the style of this album, but keeping some of the key Fozzy elements alive. Great work, gents. I'm seriously impressed. 9 out of 10.
