This week's review, JOSEPTH THOLL's "Devil's Drum" is darn near deja vu to a review I did last week from DENNER's INFERNO. Well, at least in theory and concept. Much like Denner, Tholl is a fairly well know and respected guitarist who made a name for themselves shredding fretboards for other bands. In Tholl's case, it was ENFORCER, who he spent about 12 years with on both guitar and bass. Again, much like DENNER's INFERNO, Tholl's album "Devil's Drum" fuses a fascination of 70's rock with a more modern fresh feel.

Does Tholl shred? Well, the easy answer is yes. But it's more complex than that. Rather than strictly relying on guitar pyrotechnics, Tholl instead centers on style and substance of song composition. Think Lindsey Buckingham's 80's era solo albums. They were distinctly different from his work with FLEETWOOD MAC, yet you still immediately recognized the tone  and playing style for what it was.  Songs like "Follow the Fire" and "They Fell from the Sky" have a real distinct smartness to them, one that you rarely find in heavier music. That's still the case with songs like, "Black Birds" the title track and "In Eternal Rest" but they also tend add a but more of a familiar swagger and attitude.

"Devil's Drum" is a fairly short album, with nine tracks but only clocking in at about a half hour. It's an interesting album, full of layered production that does really harken back to the seventies rock era, as well as tossing in a liberal sprinkle of Psych and even a pinch of Pop cleverness. Musically and vocally I really enjoyed Tholl's approach. Lyrically was more hit and miss for me. The lyrics could get a bit too repetitive and/or focused on the chorus, "Through Endless Skies", for example. Still, it's a strong release and one that should prove Josepth Tholl to be a musician to keep an eye on. I'm already curious where he takes us on his next efforts.