Proto-metal pioneers Bang rose from the suburbs of Philadelphia in the early 1970's to score a record contract with Capitol, leading to three releases and many tours opening for the heavyweights of the era before breaking up without having any mainstream success by the middle of the decade. Though the band released a few studio albums over the years, one in 1999 and another in 2004, it wasn't until a reunion tour opening for Pentagram in 2014 that original members Frank Ferrara (vocals, bass), Frank Gilcken (guitars, backing vocals), and Tony Diorio (drums, lyrics) decided the time was right to put the wheels in motion for a new studio album. While Tony has since retired from playing and touring, he co-wrote all the lyrics to this new album Another Me along with the two Frank's, and Danny Piselli stepped into the drum kit for the album. Eight new tracks were recorded, and Bang secured a contract with Cleopatra Records to release the new album. While fans can't expect Another Me to have the aura and heaviness of Bang or Mother/Bow to the King, just hearing a new Bang album in 2023 is something to celebrate. The title track is just heavy enough, with some snarling riffing from Gilcken and Ferrara's still strong vocal chops, and "Broken Toys" sees elements of their original 'Black Sabbath-meets-The Beatles-meets-Grand Funk Railroad' style they employed 50+ years ago. "Man of God" also has a certain 'Fab Four' feel to it, while "Clouds", "Two Angels", and "Drone Pilot" are more riffy type fair, the latter almost having a crunchy Cheap Trick vibe to it. "Tin Man" is a lot of fun, and more psychedelic in nature, and "This Night" closes out the album on a more somber note, an atmospheric rocker with some nice heavy guitars layered with acoustics and Ferrara's melodic vocals.
As solid as Another Me is, I was actually hoping it would be a bit heavier, as there's a lack of 'heft', for lack of a better term, on many of these songs, and I think it's down to how Gilcken's guitars were produced. They seem to have gone for more layers here with the electric and acoustic guitars and downplayed the riffs, which gives these otherwise well written songs slightly less thump and less of a potent impact. That being said, the musicianship is quite good, the vocals strong, and the melodies well constructed, so I can easily recommend Another Me, just with the caveat that you shouldn't expect the heavier, more riff oriented material from their earlier albums.
Track Listing
1. Another Me
2. Broken Toys
3. Man Of God
4. Clouds
5. Two Angels
6. Drone Pilot
7. Tin Man
8. This Night
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