I am sure that some of you have been wondering what would have happened if Metal music would have been part of the commercialized music society, yes the mainstream. It would have probably been nice at first, though I guess that in time, and today time is running even faster, the genre would have ended up being corroded and violated. After what went on in the 90s, there is enough proof that things can get ugly. However, there are several examples that are virtually standing on a cliff without jumping into the shallow waters, right on the edge before drowning into the sea of cheapness. My newfound knowledge of the Italian Modern Hard Rock / Metal act STARSICK SYSTEM made me think that there is a chance for everything. Newly signed to the German Pride & Joy Music, the Italians released their sophomore album "Lies, Hopes & Other Stories", letting everyone know that there is still hope for marketable hard music.

Keeping a constant flow, not letting you think that much but just sit down and enjoy the tunes, STARSICK SYSTEM, comprised of various Metal musicians from the local scene and beyond, were able to maintain a certain artistic nature to their material. It is true that there is much attention to the song oriented direction, which is mainly a pure focus on the chorus being ultra-catchy, an insurance to rapidly become an ear grabber, but there is still the music. Garnering influences from a good variety of American Modern Hard Rock, Alternative and Metal acts as ALTER BRIDGE / NICKELBACK / PAPA ROACH / SHINEDOWN / TREMONTI among others, the Italians composed a rather heavy approach, enabling the listener to explore crunchy Rock to the side of ample Metal heaviness applied by some hard to the bone grooves and even a few sections displaying technical musicianship, a factor that isn't usual for what is supposed to be a mainstream delivery. Furthermore, other than the driving lead vocals, packed with harmonies, which set the tone as a chief melodic feature, there are also modern based melodic riffs, quite common for the style, yet with an addition of a few soloing efforts that captured attention. Frankly, I could have lived better with a few more solos to increase the intensity of some of the songs, but hey, that's me.

Being closer to the commercial end of the genre has its advantages. The material has better chances to be absorbed by its listeners. STARSICK SYSTEM took care of that, and it appeared to be an easy task for them to know where to hit. "Come One, Come All" for instance, started out as one of those rather cheap MTV2 type modern Rock type of a band that has something to do with Indie or Emo, but swiftly shed its thin skin and erupted as an immense heavy Hard Rock killer. I am glad that it was a surprise for the better. I got a "Don't judge a book by its intro" moment. On the other hand, "Perfect Lie" emphasized the band's abilities on composing a groove chugger, their heaviest tune comprised of massive riffing and toughened up fronting. "Scars" made it look like a fusion of everything that the band can do, between breaking down the walls to serving the drama right in your face. I would also warmly recommend: "Bulletproof", "Sinner" and the acoustic ballad "Everything And More", which I trust could ended up as a video on MTV2.

STARSICK SYSTEM might not be the only getaway style band that Metalhead musicians run to when they want to create something fairly predictable and undemanding. However, "Lies, Hopes & Other Stories" that hard work will always be a pinnacle to make a good record, even if it is mainstream.