Almost Perfect
Those Dream Theater chaps must be some of the most hard working in the modern music industry. When they are not performing their Dream Theater day job, its side projects galore - (Transatlantic/ Platypus/ Jelly Jam), stepping in for others - (Avenged Sevenfold), or just plain old fashioned solo albums.
"Static Impulse" is either Jimmy The Cheeses 2nd or 4th solo offering depending upon which way you look at it. Second if you are going from the James LaBrie moniker, 4th if you include the 2 MullMuzzler albums. Considering the fact that LaBrie was berated in the past for not contributing enough to DT his writing credits are few and far between he has done a pretty damn good job of stepping up to the plate for his solo albums.
"Static Impulse" is his latest masterpiece that reveals astonishing new facets of James LaBrie's music. "Matt and I wanted to make an aggressive album, something that was heavy", James says. "Today the excitement in the music stems from bands that have a unique sound but are still diverse." LaBrie and his creative partner, keyboarder Matt Guillory, took even further what they began with "Elements Of Persuasion" in 2005. "The music on "Elements Of Persuasion" was really a good representation of who we were as musicians. That album was well received around the world. So we thought, letīs push the envelope! This is a great energy and a natural progression for us."
The style of his self-produced new opus the singer describes as "Gothenburg Metal with some progressive elements. To me itīs a heavy rock contemporary metal sounding album." Some listeners may be surprised by the underlying growls that are part of some of the songs. "Thatīs Peter Wildoer, our drummer. He is not just a phenomenal drummer, he can scream his ass off." Wildoer is well-known for his efficient technical playing as well as for performing alongside bands as diverse as Majestic, Arch Enemy, Old Man's Child, Pestilence as well as his own main group, Darkane. In addition to his songwriting and keyboardist role in the band, this marks the first time Matt Guillory has handled all the background vocals. The guitars are played by Italian Marco Sfogli, the bass is attacked by Ray Riendeau (Halford). All the material was written by LaBrie and Matt Guillory, his co-author for eleven years. "Weīve been working on the new material on and off since January 2009. We were throwing ideas at each other, collaborated and formed them into songs until the point that we have something that we can really be proud of."
LaBrie's "Static Impulse" has all the hallmarks of a Dream Theater album, only "Static Impulse" is a lot more melodic and easier on the ears to digest. As heavy as a heavy thing, LaBrie's tones complement those passages where Wildoers growls penetrate through the force of the songs. Its part DT/Within Temptation/Power metal at its best. Opening track 'One More Time' bears all the hallmarks of an epic DT track, before the growly, shouty vox kick in before the crisp and clean melody of LaBrie. The guitar work of Marco Sfogli is exemplary, part widdly, but chunky and heavy to boot. And on it continues, with not a single softy ballad to foul the whole flow of the album, its one musical metal assault after another
Of course there are nods to DT in the stylings here, but in much smaller bitesize chunks; the longest song 'Euphoric ' is a little over 5 minutes. Key to the future success of "Static Impulse" is that LaBrie has found an excellent writing partner in Matt Guillory to express his thoughts and ideas.
"Static Impulse" contains all of the pomp and circumstance that is the essence of metal. A polished, crisp and clean production, self produced by an assured and accomplished performer growing in stature away from his day job with Dream Theater. If it ever went South with DT, LaBrie is safe in the knowledge he can forge a successful solo career
If Metalcore crossed with melodic tendacies is your thing, then this will blow your socks off. Me personally, I'd just prefer the solo album to contain the said solo persons own vocals, but that's just me. No doubt there are those nutters on the www that will attack him for not conducting the growls himself, well they can go swivel as its his name and voice which carries the whole thing off. In conclusion, the combination of opposing styles works very well, and it's still one of the best metal offerings your little ears will be subjucated to this year. Almost perfect