Review Summary: No matter what people say, this band could very well be the future of metal. As long as the WWE don't interfere.
I am a big Fozzy fan. I'll admit it. I've seen them live three times, and I've been on two VIP experiences.
"But Azlun, if you're such a huge fan the why aren't you giving this a five?" I hear you ask. It's simple. This album isn't a classic. It's an excellent effort, but it's not going to sell millions of copies and live forever. So I'll go into depth about the whole album, and I'll tell you what makes it good, bad, and mediocre.
We start of with 'Spider in My Mouth', a reference to a line in a Stephen King novel, I believe. The song starts off slowly, with the eerie sounds of a music box tinkling out a strangely scary version of 'Itsy Bitsy Spider' followed by a little girls voice saying "The Itsy Bitsy Spider Climbed In My Mouth Again...". Talk about creepy. We then jump into a nice piece of guitar work, and a well sung song as a whole by Jericho. The lyrics were a bit awkward at points, but they work through it well. 3.5/5
Next we have the lead single from the album, "Sandpaper". It's a good song, it's fairly well written and it features avery well kniwn guest star in the form of M. Shadows, lead singer of Avenged Sevenfold. Ultimately, he sings the song to brilliance, and, as much as it pains me to say it, outsang Jericho by miles. Catchy riff, good lyrics, and a strong performance by both Shadows and Jericho. 4/5
Then we turn to one of the heavier songs on the album, "Blood Happens". Ultimately, the heaviest normal song on the album, but in my opinion, the weakest. It's not amazingly written, it's just kind if there to tell us that Fozzy are moving in a different direction. Good guitar work is the only thing that really saves this. 2.5/5
Then, we arrive at my personal favourite song of the album, "Inside My Head". For a Fozzy song, the lyrics are top notch, only really beaten out by the vocals. This song really shows how he's improved compared to earlier soft songs such as "New Day's Dawn", the overall worst Fozzy song in my opinion. It's got a catchy, yet soft and simple beat, laid down exceedingly well by Frank Fontsere and work from Rich Ward, Paul Di Leo and Billy Grey really shines here. 5/5
We come to the title track of the album, and it's heavy. Again, it's not the strongest, but it's up there with SIMM. 'Sin and Bones' is an excellent example of how well the band can cohesively work, as it's fast, complex and pretty awesome. - 3/5
We get to track 6. We've just came from a heavy song. Now what?
We move onto the second worst track of the album, of course.
It's not that it's a terrible song, it's far from it. But compared to the rest of the album, it sticks out like a sore thumb. "A Passed Life " has decent vocals and guitar, somewhat bad drumwork. 2.5/5
We arrive at one of the best Fozzy songs ever, "She's My Addiction". Excellently written, brilliantly performed, and featuring a guest solo from Phil Campbell of Môtorhead. Definitely up there. 4.5/5
"Shine Forever". Decently written song, performed by Jericho, Ward, Fontsere and Grey to the best of its potential. I feel that Di Leo could have thrown some more into it, but otherwise good. 3.5/5
We nod to a serial killer now, with the song "Dark Passenger". Although I personally like this song, it has one glaring flaw: the writing. Just the attempt to rhyme 'loose' with 'muse' still makes me cringe. Hearing anybody say "myuss" is bad.. Still a decent effort. 3/5
Finally, we get to what some people call "The Sequel to Wormwood", Fozzy's fourteen minute epic of a song.
Those people are stupid.
Wormwood is set in biblical times, this equally good song is set during the Second World War.
Granted, it drags on for a bit, but in a strange way, that's what makes 'Storm The Beaches' a good song. It lulls you into thinking that it's over, and then BOOM. It hits you in an epic way. Fantastic work all round here, especially by Jericho and Ward. 4.5/5
We're done, right?
Wrong.
When I bought this album, I was content withnthenten included songs.so imagine my surprise when I accidentally picked up the wrong CD and ended up with two EXTRA songs. Not complaining.
After a small amount of silence, I wondered when it would start. I promptly had the contents of my bowels leave my body when "Walk Amongst The Dead" blasted out of my speakers. A thoroughly good song, it's the heaviest Fozzy song that I actually like. Excellent work from Ward and Jericho, it really highlights the direction that I'd like Fozzy to move in. 4.5/5
FINALLY, we come to a cover song. Black Sabbath's classic 'Fairies Wear Boots' is a song that I somehow knew Jericho would someday sing. Don't ask me how, but I knew. And he does it well. I know that literally nobody will agree, but I prefer this version to the original. 3.75/5
The one thing that's holding Fozzy back is Chris Jericho's WWE career. Hopefully they'll throw him against The Undertaker in a Streak vs Contract match so he can leave WWE and focus on Fozzy for a while. The fanbase also doesn't help. When I go to a Fozzy concert, I want to hear people chanting "FOZZY! FOZZY! FOZZY!", not 'Y2J! Y2J!"
