Not too many bands out there are able to combine fist pumping, groove laden heavy metal & hard rock music with catchy, memorable hooks, effectively resulting in songs that latch onto your brain and refuse to let go. Fozzy, the brainchild of WWE's Chris Jericho and Stuck Mojo's Rich 'The Duke' Ward is one such band. What started out initially as a sort of joke cover band has morphed into a full-fledged group that has quickly become a dynamo. Their latest studio album (and first for Century Media) is titled Sin and Bones, and basically picks up right where All That Remains and Chasing the Grail, their two previous kick ass releases, left off. Along with Jericho and Ward, the rest of the band is made up of second guitarist Billy Grey, bassist Paul Di Leo, and drummer Frank Fontsere.
When an album kicks off with a strong 1-2 punch like the combo of "Spider in My Mouth" and "Sandpaper", you know things are looking good. Both of these two songs are catchy, groove-a-licious rockers with killer riffs and hooks aplenty. "Blood Happens" has more of a power metal feel, with Jericho's powerful vocals soaring to the heavens, occasionally blasted by Ward's growls, and the riffs from both Ward and Grey are outstanding here. The moody ballad "Inside My Head" follows, which features both tender passages and some heavier sections, with Jericho delivering some memorable vocal melodies throughout. The raging "Sin and Bones" is an all out metal assault, as jackhammer drumming from Fontsere drives the staccato riffing from Ward & Grey, all the while Jericho once again delivers a 'can't miss' chorus. Check out some tasty harmony guitars as well from the two axe men on this one.
Things slow down to a crawl on the moody "A Passed Life", a grueling, undulating rocker that reminds a bit of some of Ozzy's early '90s material, and another strong vocal performance from Jericho, who really has developed into a fine singer over the years. "She's My Addiction" has an almost Southern Rock feel to it, like a cross between Black Stone Cherry and Lynyrd Skynyrd, complete with some fiery guitar licks, and the crushing ballad (yes, I used those two words in the same sentence) "Shine Forever" contains some of the albums heaviest riffs. You get an almost gothic, prog-rock feel to the song "Dark Passenger", as the heavy riffs and keyboards give this song a completely different flavor to any of the other tunes on the CD, but as with the rest it's instantly memorable and catchy. That progressive, even 'epic' feel continues on the lengthy closer "Storm the Beaches", a tune with lyrics based on the Normandy battles during World War II, and one of the more adventurous tunes Fozzy has ever done. Mixing progressive metal with Anthrax styled thrash and soaring melodies, this one is quite an achievement, and one of the highlights of the album.
So, does Sin and Bones measure up to the lofty heights of All That Remains and Chasing the Grail? Both of those releases had some spectacular songs on them, but I think Sin and Bones is consistently stronger from top to bottom for my money. Along with some 'instant classics' that you just can't help call even after the first listen, there are plenty of strong songs here, filled with catchy, memorable hooks, huge guitar riffs, blazing solos, and powerful vocals. Now that they are with Century Media, and getting set to tear across the US on a huge package tour, the time is ripe for Fozzy to finally get the credit and fame they deserve.
Track Listing
1. Spider in My Mouth
2. Sandpaper
3. Blood Happens
4. Inside My Head
5. Sin and Bones
6. A Passed Life
7. She's My Addiction
8. Shine Forever
9. Dark Passenger
10. Storm the Beaches
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