As I started writing this review I had another chance to hear this album. Writing this specific line, in the background the sound of the 5th track, Destruction, can be heard. This specific song has the ability to summarize all the elements featured in the shred-head virtuoso guitarist band's 9th (or 10th... or 11th?) studio effort. Phew, this composition saved my ass from trying to write my comments on Pedal To The Metal.
Chris Impellitteri was - but should not be, in my opinion - compared to the technical skills and single-dimensional composing approach of Swedish I-Am-The-World 6-string master Yngwie Malmsteen, with his Impellitteri EP (1987) and Stand In Line LP (1988). OK, he was eager to break the 5000npm (notes per minute) standard plus his style sometimes featured these so-called neoclassical ingredients (hence, his cooperation with ex-Rainbow vocalist Graham Bonnet) but his was always keen of the U.S. melodic shred-rock style also (why do Eddie V.H. and Paul Gilbert come to mind? No worries...). During the difficult mid-90's times, Chris secured his reputation in the Land Of The Rising Sun and since then it wasn't that easy to even get his studio efforts (pre-Net, you see). The Fender Strat devotee, collaborating - among others - with vocalist Rob Rock (M.A.R.S., Joshua, Axel Rudi Pell etc), bassist Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot, Giuffria, House Of Lords etc) or drummer Ken Mary (Fifth Angel, Bad Moon Rising, Alice Cooper, Chastain etc ), has now returned with his Pedal To The Metal album, and I'm still wondering what Metal means to anyone of us...
The production is handled by Chris himself, running around the late 90s'/early 00's New U.S. Metal kind of sound (just to put you in the picture). The whole band seems to be in great shape, the album is of the usual Impellitteri duration - something more than 35 minutes - and the experience and reputation Chris has gained (all by himself, that's true) these years has made him torture his partner the way he wants. But, what about music?
I may not be familiar with the artist's/band's two-three latest recordings but I would better describe the album as Pedal rather than Metal. Influenced in a great level but what's going on the last years in America, many of the songs feature both clean and aggressive vocals while Pantera-or-SystemOfADown-like cut riffs come and go most of the time. In addition, there were specific parts (like in Judgment Day) that the combination of vocal harmonies and guitar leap melodies reminded me a lot of Angra or some more heavier Ten. Yeap, I was also wondering myself if I was hearing the same CD. Basic Impellitteri elements are also present - shredding solos, Blackmore-ish rhythms or pure mid-tempo Metal chords - but I think Chris now wants to have his name heard (again) in the Land of Opportunity.
I don't want to judge it wrong, still I have to say that I didn't expect from Chris to adapt this specific style. If you completely ignore the rap-ish Punk track (someone could sue him...), it's not a bad record. But, but but but buuuuuut...It also isn't what I'd like to hear from him. The guy put out the Speed Soloing instructional video 16 years ago, I never forget that. Thus...